Words explained
in English.
The name comes from gesso, the first coat painters put on a canvas.
Every word comes in a sentence and is explained in clear English. Pick a volume, learn a few words a day, and stop when today’s are done.
Coming soon to the App StoreYour first 300 new words are free, then new words need Full. No account needed.
Read the sentence. Lift the glass.
Every word arrives inside a sentence, under a pane of frosted glass. Guess what it means, then tap the two circles: the explanation and a note on how the word is really used are underneath.
Tap any word you don’t know.
Every explanation is in English. When one has a word you don’t know, tap it.
One tap
A short English explanation of that word.
One more
Tap a word inside that explanation to go one step further.
Thirteen volumes, grouped by what you need.
Life, work, study abroad, exams and professions. Every volume tells you who it is for and what you will be able to do when you finish.
Life
Work
Study abroad
Exams
Each exam volume is a selection of exam vocabulary, not a complete word list for the exam, and it is not meant for last-minute cramming. gessov is not affiliated with or endorsed by any exam provider. IELTS and PTE Academic are trademarks of their owners.
Professions
Issues, just for fun.
Short themed issues: the gym, the café, perfume, the sky, looking at paintings. You start with three keys, and a key opens any issue you choose. Keys can’t be bought.
15issues so far, and more on the way.
Cut & cloth 
Notes & accords 
Looking 
Spirit & self 
The café
Drag the card to turn it.
Turn the card. Then read it page by page.
Every issue has its own card. Turn it in your hand, open it with a key, and read one word at a time. Star a word and it comes back in your reviews.
A word on your Home Screen.
Widgets show this month’s progress, a word you’ve learned and issue cards.
Free to start.
Learn your first 300 new words free, from any volume. Words you’ve learned stay free to review. Full opens every volume with no limit on new words, as a yearly subscription or a single purchase. The number of words a day is the same whether you pay or not.
Stop when today’s are done.
When today’s new words and reviews are done, gessov tells you and stops. There is no endless feed. If you want more, raise New words a day in Settings.
Everything stays on your phone.
No account, no ads, no tracking. Your progress stays on your iPhone.
Menus in Chinese, words in English.
The menus can be switched to Simplified Chinese. Every word and every explanation stays in English.
Your first 300 new words are free, then new words need Full. No account needed.