How to Improve Your Vocabulary

The funny truth is the more words you know, the fewer you'll need - and everyone knows the most valuable talent is never to use two words when one will do.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Dictionaries
• Thesauri
• Magazine Subscriptions
• Newspaper Subscriptions
• Index Cards
• Pads Of Paper
• Word-processing Software
• Deluxe Scrabble

1. Read books, magazines, poems, plays, stories and more. The more language you're exposed to, the more new words you'll learn.

2. Make it a habit to find a new word every day. Look in the dictionary, sign up for "A Word a Day" (see dictionary.com) or make swapping new words a game with a workmate or fellow student.

3. Speak to people. You'll be exposed to an amazing range of cultural influences and occupations, all of which will introduce you to new words.

4. Write down words you don't know. Keep a pad in your briefcase or purse just for that purpose.

5. Look up the words in a dictionary so you'll understand what they mean, how they're spelled and their various usages. This will also help you remember the words.

6. Make flashcards of the words and go through them regularly.

7. Create or play word games. Scrabble and Mad Libs, for example, are great ways to reinforce new vocabulary words.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice your vocabulary on others, though it might be an adjustment to blurt out those three-dollar words.

• Begin each morning with a brand new word - you can buy a calendar for this purpose, or you can keep a dictionary right next to your bed. Work the word into conversation during the day. Say the word, spell it and say it again to aid memory retention.

• It's best to understand what the word means and how to use it before you do, but some like to live dangerously.

• A "malapropism" is a misuse of words, especially when the confusion stems from two words sounding alike (for example, "reversible psychology" instead of "reverse psychology").