How to Increase Vocabulary

If what sets humans apart from other animals is our ability to use language, then having an extensive vocabulary certainly sets one human apart form another. Possessing an insufficient vocabulary can limit you socially and professionally. Increase your intellectual capacity with language and speak verbosely in no time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Read as much as possible. Peruse books on a variety of topics and in many different genres. Underline words you do not know, try to determine the meaning of the word based on the context and then it up in the dictionary.

2. Keep a pocket dictionary and thesaurus with you at all times. When appropriate, search for the words you don't know in the dictionary and thesaurus. This will help you discover multiple words with the same meaning making memorization easier.

3. Sign up for a word of the day email from Merriam-Webster. Study the word and use it later the same day.

4. Do crossword puzzles and other words games such as Scrabble and hangman. Talk about new words with your family at dinner and play games using words from billboards as you drive.

5. Use your new vocabulary on a daily basis. This will help you to commit the words and their meanings to memory.

Tips & Warnings

• Involve your children or other family members in your quest to increase your vocabulary.
• Only use your new words when they make sense, otherwise you end up sounding silly.

Resources

• Sign up for a word of the day email.

[misthaven]

on 7/10/2009 Reading the newspaper is also good for building vocabulary.