Why Build A Better Vocabulary?
Regardless of your age or intelligence, having a good vocabulary will help you to have a better understanding of certain academical situations.
You'll find it easier to express yourself, and easier to explain things to others in a clearer fashion. You'll feel comfortable with different social situations, not having to withdraw from the conversation because of a subject that's alien to you.
Having a great vocabulary is great for job interviews, in fact interviews in general.
It can very helpful when reading texts that are unfamiliar to you.
You can also use them for games such as boggle, scrabble, and the like.
When having a good vocabulary, and being familiar with long and difficult words, it can be really useful for speaking publicly.
It might seem like junk to learn, but it will stick with you and help you in the future.
1. Read, Read, And Read Some More
This is one of the best ways to get yourself familiar with a larger range of vocabulary. Most of the words in your vocabulary have been learnt through context, and by exposing yourself to as much vocabulary as your can - it can only get better.
This is one of the best ways to get yourself familiar with a larger range of vocabulary. Most of the words in your vocabulary have been learnt through context, and by exposing yourself to as much vocabulary as your can - it can only get better.
When you do come across a word that you're unsure about, try to imagine what it means and then look it up in a dictionary. Just keep repeating this process and you'll be surprised how much your vocabulary can improve.
2. Monitor The Context
As I said in point #1, most of the words you learn is by context. So whenever you hear a word that you're unfamiliar with, try to understand the context it was used in. The great thing about this is you just have to be in ear-range of a person speaking, or within reach of reading material.
As I said in point #1, most of the words you learn is by context. So whenever you hear a word that you're unfamiliar with, try to understand the context it was used in. The great thing about this is you just have to be in ear-range of a person speaking, or within reach of reading material.
3. Look Up Words You Don't Know
Try to get yourself into the habit of looking words up that you're unfamiliar with. If you're fortunate enough to have access to the Internet (which I'm assuming you do if you're reading this), you have loads of choices of dictionaries and thesauruses.
Try to get yourself into the habit of looking words up that you're unfamiliar with. If you're fortunate enough to have access to the Internet (which I'm assuming you do if you're reading this), you have loads of choices of dictionaries and thesauruses.
4. Learn A Word A Week
Challenge yourself to learn a word a week. This is definitely doable, with seven days at your disposal to get accustomed to the new word. If you do this, you'll be expanding your vocabulary by fifty-two words a year. If this is too easy for you, then do two words a week, or three words a week - it's up to you. On the other-hand, if this is a bit much of a challenge, then do a word every two weeks.
Challenge yourself to learn a word a week. This is definitely doable, with seven days at your disposal to get accustomed to the new word. If you do this, you'll be expanding your vocabulary by fifty-two words a year. If this is too easy for you, then do two words a week, or three words a week - it's up to you. On the other-hand, if this is a bit much of a challenge, then do a word every two weeks.
5. Repetition
It's no good learning a new word if you're going to forget it. You need to try and get it into your long-term memory.
It's no good learning a new word if you're going to forget it. You need to try and get it into your long-term memory.
Research suggests that by going over a word twenty times will help it to become part of your vocabulary.
You can review your words with index cards, or any other memory trick that can help with the memory process.
6. Insert Them Into Conversations
Once you feel quite confidant that you know the meanings of a few newly-learnt words, your next step is to put them into a conversation. Don't try to use them in every sentence, but just insert them when the time is right, like you would with any other word.
Once you feel quite confidant that you know the meanings of a few newly-learnt words, your next step is to put them into a conversation. Don't try to use them in every sentence, but just insert them when the time is right, like you would with any other word.
The more used to the words you become, the more you're inevitably going to use them casually, not even having to think about when and where to say them.
7. Take Vocabulary Tests
Get yourself to take a quick vocabulary test a day. You'll be forced to think about words, and words you come across that are unfamiliar to you, you can just look-up on a dictionary and become acquainted with.
Get yourself to take a quick vocabulary test a day. You'll be forced to think about words, and words you come across that are unfamiliar to you, you can just look-up on a dictionary and become acquainted with.
You can find vocabulary tests on the Internet just by doing a quick Google search.
Some Words To Consider Using
Here's a few words you may want to learn if you're unsure which words to start with, but there are loads more out there to choose from:
- Abhor
- Abjure
- Acquiesce
- Arcane
- Avarice
- Amiable
- Brazen
- Brusque
- Candour
- Chide
- Clandestine
- Coerce
- Coherent
- Connive
- Debase
- Decry
- Demure
- Deride
- Despot
- Embezzle
- Enmity
- Erudite
- Extol
- Feral
- Fractious
- Furtive
- Gratuitous
- Haughty
- Impertinent
- Impudent
- Incisive
- Indolent
- Inept
- Infamy
- Innate
- Insatiable
- Insular
- Intrepid
- Inveterate
- Jubilant
- Knell
- Lithe
- Lurid
- Maverick
- Maxim
- Modicum
- Morose
- Myriad
- Nadir
- Nominal
- Nuance
- Obsequious
- Panacea
- Penchant
- Perusal
- Plethora
- Predilection
- Repudiate
- Rife
- Salient
- Serendipity
- Staid
- Superfluous
- Sycophant
- Taciturn
- Truculent
- Umbrage
- Vex
- Vociferous
- Wanton
- Zenith