Amazon’s Alexa to offer word of the day with help from Susie Dent
18 March 2021, 06:34
The virtual assistant can now be used to boost vocabulary with help from the language expert.
Amazon Echo users are to be given the chance to improve their vocabulary thanks to a new Word of the Day feature with language expert Susie Dent.
As part of an update, users will be able to ask virtual assistant Alexa for a word of the day for the next month in order to hear Countdown star Dent offer up a new word and simple definition.
The feature launches on Thursday with the word “nod-crafty”, meaning the habit of nodding the head with an air of great wisdom.
Users can access the feature by asking: “Alexa, what’s the word of the day?”
“Increasing our vocabulary brings enormous benefits,” language expert Dent said.
“It helps us to articulate our thoughts and emotions more powerfully, to widen the horizons of our learning, and, above all, to enjoy the beauty and verve of our language.
“I’m delighted to be teaching Alexa a few of my favourite terms from the past and present; I hope others will derive as much pleasure from them as I do.”
The new feature will be accessible across Amazon Alexa devices, including Fire TV devices, the tech giant confirmed.
It comes as Amazon research suggests that many people wish they had a better vocabulary, with nearly a quarter (24%) of 2,000 people surveyed by the firm revealing they only have an “average” lexicon.
“From nod-crafty to grogblossom, it’s clear that Susie’s knowledge of fascinating words is second to none and we’re excited to bring her expertise to Alexa,” Alexa UK and Ireland manager, Dennis Stansbury, said.
“By tapping into Susie’s golden vault of vocab, we hope to inspire customers to discover new words, whilst having some fun at the same time.”
