Verifying against the live site and live WHOIS/DNS…
Common questions
Is vocabulary.com legit or a scam?
AboutUs doesn't label sites "legit" or "a scam": this page lists the dated registration, DNS, HTTPS, mail-authentication and safety checks we could verify, each with its source, so you can decide for yourself.
Who owns vocabulary.com?
Nobody has completed AboutUs's owner verification for vocabulary.com. That's true of most sites here — it isn't itself a warning sign.
Correct a description, link or other detail. Submissions are reviewed before publication.
Registered 1996 · site is live · HTTPS valid
Vocabulary.com offers free English vocabulary lessons, word games, and puzzles for grades 2–12, including SAT/ACT prep materials. The site provides word lists, lesson plans, crosswords, and thematic exercises designed to teach vocabulary in context.
Authority 69/100— ahead of 69% of the August 2026 scored sampleClear
Why this authority score
69 is a percentile: higher than 69% of sites we score.
How it's calculated
Prominence (Tranco rank #12,655)+8
Verified continuity: 30.1 years (RDAP registration)+11
Security & email hygiene+2
Calibration adjustment (published map)+14
Model score: 35/99 — what these reason lines add up to.
Published Authority (percentile): 69/100 — this site's rank against the August 2026 scored sample. Public Authority is capped at 99.
Safety evidence
No unexpired threat-feed result; name-similarity check available (recorded about 76 days ago); 3/3 transport and email checks available (oldest recorded about 76 days ago). This is evidence coverage, not a probability that a website is safe.
What vocabulary.com said about itself, 2013
Quoted from the site's AboutUs wiki page in each year it changed (1 version). These are the page's own words at the time, not AboutUs's assessment. New words · dropped words
2013
Vocabulary University participants learn English vocabulary in context (grades 2-12) with free word puzzles and activities. Vocabulary content includes les...
Site history
Dated record — historical facts always carry their date.
✓ name continuity same company name for 13 years✓ domain continuity 30 years registered✓ live verified Nov 5, 2026
No caution flags in the available scoring observations; this is not a complete safety assessment
Lifeline · vocabulary.com over time
Checked in the last 30 daysOlder, dated recordFrom registration records
Registered 30 years ago · on AboutUs since 2013 · 3 registrar changes since Aug 9, 2007 · 4 registrant changes since 2007 · last checked Nov 1, 2026.
Registration
RegisteredSep 18, 1996vocabulary.com was registered on Sep 18, 1996.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 5, 2026
AboutUs record
AboutUs wiki pageNov 13, 2013An AboutUs wiki page described vocabulary.com from Nov 13, 2013 to Nov 13, 2013 (1 edit).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023Said about itself in 2013Jul 1, 2013
Registrar
TUCOWS, INC.Aug 9, 2007 – Apr 15, 2012Registrar TUCOWS, INC. (IANA 69) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for vocabulary.com, from Aug 9, 2007 to Apr 15, 2012.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)TUCOWS.COM CO.Jun 27, 2012 – Jul 19, 2012Registrar TUCOWS.COM CO. in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for vocabulary.com, from Jun 27, 2012 to Jul 19, 2012.
Registrant
Registrant recordsAug 9, 2007 – Jun 30, 2026Registration records for vocabulary.com are held from Aug 9, 2007 to Jun 30, 2026 (348 records). 4 changes of registrant name or organization are marked. Privacy-service and redaction changes, renames of the same organization and new contacts at it are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Zone file
Nameservers: lunarpages.comAug 9, 2007 – Mar 1, 2008Registration records listed lunarpages.com nameservers (ns4.lunarpages.com, ns5.lunarpages.com) for vocabulary.com from Aug 9, 2007 to Mar 1, 2008.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Certificate
AmazonAmazonJun 26, 2025 – Nov 5, 2026Amazon issued 3 certificates for vocabulary.com from Jun 26, 2025, the latest valid until May 11, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)DigiCert Inc
200020102020Jan ’26Oct ’26← last 12 months, drawn wider
Every dated fact on this lifeline (29)
Sep 18, 1996Registration: vocabulary.com was registered on Sep 18, 1996.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 5, 2026
Aug 9, 2007 – Apr 15, 2012Registrar: Registrar TUCOWS, INC. (IANA 69) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for vocabulary.com, from Aug 9, 2007 to Apr 15, 2012.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Aug 9, 2007 – Jun 30, 2026Registrant: Registration records for vocabulary.com are held from Aug 9, 2007 to Jun 30, 2026 (348 records). 4 changes of registrant name or organization are marked. Privacy-service and redaction changes, renames of the same organization and new contacts at it are not counted.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Aug 9, 2007 – Mar 1, 2008Zone file: Registration records listed lunarpages.com nameservers (ns4.lunarpages.com, ns5.lunarpages.com) for vocabulary.com from Aug 9, 2007 to Mar 1, 2008.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Mar 10, 2008 – Feb 1, 2010Zone file: Registration records listed vocabulary.com nameservers (ns1.vocabulary.com, ns2.vocabulary.com) for vocabulary.com from Mar 10, 2008 to Feb 1, 2010.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
“Vocabulary University participants learn English vocabulary in context (grades 2-12) with free word puzzles and activities. Vocabulary content includes les...”
Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2013
Current AboutUs recordJul 3, 2026 – Aug 20, 2026 (latest)Authority and Safety last refreshed Aug 20, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
TUCOWS, INC.TUCOWS, INC.Aug 8, 2012 – Mar 4, 2022Registrar TUCOWS, INC. (IANA 69) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for vocabulary.com, from Aug 8, 2012 to Mar 4, 2022.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
101domain GRS Limited101domain GRS LimitedMar 23, 2022 – Sep 8, 2026 (latest)Registrar 101domain GRS Limited (IANA 1011) in the registration data recorded, first on Mar 23, 2022 and most recently on Sep 8, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 5, 2026
Registrant changeJan 3, 2010The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Jan 3, 2010. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Registrant changeFeb 3, 2010The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Feb 3, 2010. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Registrant changeMar 23, 2022The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Mar 23, 2022. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Registrant changeMay 18, 2022The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded May 18, 2022. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
4 registrant changes, 2007–2026
Nameservers: vocabulary.com
Mar 10, 2008 – Feb 1, 2010
Registration records listed vocabulary.com nameservers (ns1.vocabulary.com, ns2.vocabulary.com) for vocabulary.com from Mar 10, 2008 to Feb 1, 2010.
Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to vocabulary.comMar 10, 2008vocabulary.com's nameservers moved from lunarpages.com to vocabulary.com between Mar 1, 2008 and Mar 10, 2008. Last seen at lunarpages.com: Mar 1, 2008 (registration record). First seen at vocabulary.com: Mar 10, 2008 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: nettica.comFeb 3, 2010 – Jun 22, 2011Registration records listed nettica.com nameservers (dns1.nettica.com, dns2.nettica.com, dns3.nettica.com…) for vocabulary.com from Feb 3, 2010 to Jun 22, 2011.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to nettica.comFeb 3, 2010vocabulary.com's nameservers moved from vocabulary.com to nettica.com between Feb 1, 2010 and Feb 3, 2010. Last seen at vocabulary.com: Feb 1, 2010 (registration record). First seen at nettica.com: Feb 3, 2010 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: Amazon Route 53Jun 27, 2011 – Oct 17, 2013Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1479.awsdns-56.org, ns-150.awsdns-18.com, ns-1542.awsdns-00.co.uk…) for vocabulary.com from Jun 27, 2011 to Oct 17, 2013. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to Amazon Route 53Jun 27, 2011vocabulary.com's nameservers moved from nettica.com to Amazon Route 53 between Jun 22, 2011 and Jun 27, 2011. Last seen at nettica.com: Jun 22, 2011 (registration record). First seen at Amazon Route 53: Jun 27, 2011 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Nameservers: Amazon Route 53Oct 18, 2013 – Apr 3, 2018Amazon Route 53 (ns-1479.awsdns-56.org, ns-150.awsdns-18.com, ns-1542.awsdns-00.co.uk…) were the nameservers listed for vocabulary.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Nameservers: Amazon Route 53Apr 4, 2018 – Dec 22, 2022Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1479.awsdns-56.org, ns-150.awsdns-18.com, ns-1542.awsdns-00.co.uk…) for vocabulary.com from Apr 4, 2018 to Dec 22, 2022. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Nameservers: CloudflareNameservers: CloudflareJan 25, 2023 – Jun 30, 2026Registration records listed Cloudflare nameservers (bella.ns.cloudflare.com, kai.ns.cloudflare.com) for vocabulary.com from Jan 25, 2023 to Jun 30, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
DNS moved to CloudflareJan 25, 2023vocabulary.com's nameservers moved from Amazon Route 53 to Cloudflare between Dec 22, 2022 and Jan 25, 2023. Last seen at Amazon Route 53: Dec 22, 2022 (registration record). First seen at Cloudflare: Jan 25, 2023 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Seen in the .com zone fileSep 8, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026 (latest)First seen in the .com zone file records AboutUs holds on Sep 8, 2026; latest sighting Nov 1, 2026. Nameservers on Nov 1, 2026: chuck.ns.cloudflare.com, cora.ns.cloudflare.com. DNSSEC signed on Nov 1, 2026.Source: ICANN CZDS zone file, snapshot Nov 1, 2026
DigiCert Inc
Sep 12, 2025 – Nov 5, 2026
DigiCert Inc issued 8 certificates for vocabulary.com from Sep 12, 2025, the latest valid until May 12, 2027.
Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Google Trust ServicesApr 18, 2026 – Nov 5, 2026Google Trust Services issued 7 certificates for vocabulary.com from Apr 18, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 10, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Let's EncryptMay 6, 2026 – Nov 5, 2026Let's Encrypt issued 18 certificates for vocabulary.com from May 6, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 28, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Mar 10, 2008
Zone file: vocabulary.com's nameservers moved from lunarpages.com to vocabulary.com between Mar 1, 2008 and Mar 10, 2008. Last seen at lunarpages.com: Mar 1, 2008 (registration record). First seen at vocabulary.com: Mar 10, 2008 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Jan 3, 2010Registrant: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Jan 3, 2010. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Feb 3, 2010Registrant: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Feb 3, 2010. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Feb 3, 2010 – Jun 22, 2011Zone file: Registration records listed nettica.com nameservers (dns1.nettica.com, dns2.nettica.com, dns3.nettica.com…) for vocabulary.com from Feb 3, 2010 to Jun 22, 2011.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Feb 3, 2010Zone file: vocabulary.com's nameservers moved from vocabulary.com to nettica.com between Feb 1, 2010 and Feb 3, 2010. Last seen at vocabulary.com: Feb 1, 2010 (registration record). First seen at nettica.com: Feb 3, 2010 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Jun 27, 2011 – Oct 17, 2013Zone file: Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1479.awsdns-56.org, ns-150.awsdns-18.com, ns-1542.awsdns-00.co.uk…) for vocabulary.com from Jun 27, 2011 to Oct 17, 2013. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jun 27, 2011Zone file: vocabulary.com's nameservers moved from nettica.com to Amazon Route 53 between Jun 22, 2011 and Jun 27, 2011. Last seen at nettica.com: Jun 22, 2011 (registration record). First seen at Amazon Route 53: Jun 27, 2011 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Jun 27, 2012 – Jul 19, 2012Registrar: Registrar TUCOWS.COM CO. in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for vocabulary.com, from Jun 27, 2012 to Jul 19, 2012.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Aug 8, 2012 – Mar 4, 2022Registrar: Registrar TUCOWS, INC. (IANA 69) in the WHOIS and RDAP records held for vocabulary.com, from Aug 8, 2012 to Mar 4, 2022.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is)
Jul 1, 2013AboutUs record: “Vocabulary University participants learn English vocabulary in context (grades 2-12) with free word puzzles and activities. Vocabulary content includes les...”Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2013
Oct 18, 2013 – Apr 3, 2018Zone file: Amazon Route 53 (ns-1479.awsdns-56.org, ns-150.awsdns-18.com, ns-1542.awsdns-00.co.uk…) were the nameservers listed for vocabulary.com at every ICANN zone-file snapshot AboutUs holds from Oct 18, 2013 to Apr 3, 2018 (snapshots exist for only part of 2013–2018).Source: ICANN zone-file snapshots, 2013–2018 (legacy archive)
Nov 13, 2013AboutUs record: An AboutUs wiki page described vocabulary.com from Nov 13, 2013 to Nov 13, 2013 (1 edit).Source: AboutUs wiki archive, 2006–2023
Apr 4, 2018 – Dec 22, 2022Zone file: Registration records listed Amazon Route 53 nameservers (ns-1479.awsdns-56.org, ns-150.awsdns-18.com, ns-1542.awsdns-00.co.uk…) for vocabulary.com from Apr 4, 2018 to Dec 22, 2022. Days a zone file covers are shown from the zone file instead.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Mar 23, 2022 – Sep 8, 2026Registrar: Registrar 101domain GRS Limited (IANA 1011) in the registration data recorded, first on Mar 23, 2022 and most recently on Sep 8, 2026.Source: RDAP, fetched Aug 5, 2026
Mar 23, 2022Registrant: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded Mar 23, 2022. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
May 18, 2022Registrant: The registrant name or organization in the registration record changed; first recorded May 18, 2022. That can be a rename, a new contact or a sale; the record alone does not say which.Source: WHOIS / RDAP archive (who.is); counted by registrant name and organization only
Jan 25, 2023 – Jun 30, 2026Zone file: Registration records listed Cloudflare nameservers (bella.ns.cloudflare.com, kai.ns.cloudflare.com) for vocabulary.com from Jan 25, 2023 to Jun 30, 2026.Source: From registration records (WHOIS / RDAP archive, who.is)
Jan 25, 2023Zone file: vocabulary.com's nameservers moved from Amazon Route 53 to Cloudflare between Dec 22, 2022 and Jan 25, 2023. Last seen at Amazon Route 53: Dec 22, 2022 (registration record). First seen at Cloudflare: Jan 25, 2023 (registration record).Source: Derived from the nameserver records on this lifeline (registration record → registration record)
Jun 26, 2025 – Nov 5, 2026Certificate: Amazon issued 3 certificates for vocabulary.com from Jun 26, 2025, the latest valid until May 11, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Sep 12, 2025 – Nov 5, 2026Certificate: DigiCert Inc issued 8 certificates for vocabulary.com from Sep 12, 2025, the latest valid until May 12, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Apr 18, 2026 – Nov 5, 2026Certificate: Google Trust Services issued 7 certificates for vocabulary.com from Apr 18, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 10, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
May 6, 2026 – Nov 5, 2026Certificate: Let's Encrypt issued 18 certificates for vocabulary.com from May 6, 2026, the latest valid until Jan 28, 2027.Source: Certificate Transparency logs (AboutUs's own certificate-log reader)
Jul 3, 2026 – Aug 20, 2026AboutUs record: Authority and Safety last refreshed Aug 20, 2026.Source: AboutUs checks
Sep 8, 2026 – Nov 1, 2026Zone file: First seen in the .com zone file records AboutUs holds on Sep 8, 2026; latest sighting Nov 1, 2026. Nameservers on Nov 1, 2026: chuck.ns.cloudflare.com, cora.ns.cloudflare.com. DNSSEC signed on Nov 1, 2026.Source: ICANN CZDS zone file, snapshot Nov 1, 2026