How Can I Increase My Vocabulary?
A limited vocabulary can leave you stumped when someone uses words you do not understand in daily conversation. You must either choose to ask for the definition, admitting you do not know the meaning of the word, or risk responding incorrectly. Avoid situations similar to this and improve the effectiveness of your communication by increasing your vocabulary. Increasing your vocabulary requires only a few minutes of work each day.
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Instructions
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Carry a pocket dictionary and thesaurus with you wherever you go. When you hear a new word on television or in a conversation, take the time to look it up in the dictionary when you have a spare moment. Read the definition and then look the word up in your thesaurus so that you fully understand its connotations. Memorize the word and make a point to use it three times a day for the next two weeks in speech and writing.
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Read books and research words you do not understand. When reading, it is easy to skip over an unfamiliar word without thought. When you do this, you pass up an opportunity to increase your vocabulary. Every time you learn a new word from a book, use it three times a day for the next two weeks.
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Fill in crossword puzzles. Purchasing a crossword puzzle book or simply completing crosswords from the daily newspaper will introduce you to new words. Use your ingenuity, thesaurus and dictionary to solve the puzzles.
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Talk to your friends about the new words you learn. While this seems silly at first, it will open avenues of conversation for your friends to share new words they have learned as well. Showing an interest in improving your vocabulary might encourage your friends to do the same, so you can teach each other.
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Tips & Warnings
If you worry that you will forget words you have learned, keep a notebook in which you write down each new word and a brief definition for quick reference.
References
- Photo Credit word appointment image by Franc Podgor...¡ek from Fotolia.com
