Five tips to improve your English vocabulary | LearnEnglish (britishcouncil.

org)

1. Write down new words

It's a really good idea to write down useful new vocabulary. The act of
writing the words helps you remember them better. Plus, lots of people
learn better when they see things written on paper, rather than just hearing
them. 
You can add a translation in your language, a definition in English, a note
on pronunciation or even a drawing! The more different links you make
between the word and its meaning, the better.

2. Revise new vocabulary regularly

So, you've got an English notebook full of useful vocabulary to remember.
But did you know that if you don't look again at the new words and phrases
you've studied, you only remember on average 20–25 per cent of it? That's
a shocking waste of time and effort! 
The good news is that if you look at your notes again after an hour, again
the next day and once more after a few days, you can make sure that 100
per cent of what you learn goes into your long-term memory. 
So make five minutes each day to revise your English vocabulary. The
more you look backwards, the faster you go forwards! 

3. Read in English
They say the best way to learn a language is by immersion – spending time
completely surrounded by that language. 
Well, reading is like immersion through your imagination! 
Reading is amazing for your English in general. But it's particularly good for
learning new vocabulary. That's because understanding a new word as
part of a story makes it much more memorable than trying to learn a list of
words out of context. 

4. Learn from context

Speaking of context, let's talk more about that. Literally, 'context' means the
text that comes before and after a particular word. It also refers to the
situation in which a word is used. 
Context is your friend when you're learning new vocabulary! It helps you
guess the meaning of words you don't know, it shows you how a word is
used in a sentence, and it helps you remember the word for longer. 
This means learning vocabulary by reading and listening is more effective
than trying to study word lists. It also means that it's better to make a note
of how a word is used in a sentence, rather than just the word on its own.
For example, instead of 'to make up = to invent', try learning, 'He'd totally
made the story up!'. You've got useful information there – about the
meaning, the types of things people 'make up' and the word order.

5. Use it or lose it!

Following the 'use it or lose it' principle, using words is the best way to
make sure you don't forget them. So try using new vocabulary as soon as
you can when you're speaking or writing in English. 
Have you noticed that you often need to use the same words and phrases
when you're communicating in English? It's really worth the effort to
practise the most common and the most useful words for you. 
Researchers have found that you need to see or hear a word on average
ten times to remember it. But when you're actively making an effort with a
word – for example, you ask the person you're talking to how to say
something – you learn it much faster. 
So, get out there! Try to get as much exposure to English as you can. And
take every opportunity to communicate in English with other people.
Jo Gore
7 Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary
How to Improve Your Vocabulary: 7 Ways to Expand
Your Vocabulary - 2023 - MasterClass
1. 1. Develop a reading habit. Vocabulary building is easiest
when you encounter words in context. Seeing words appear in
a novel or a newspaper article can be far more helpful than
seeing them appear on vocabulary lists. Not only do you gain
exposure to unfamiliar words; you also see how they’re used.
2. 2. Use the dictionary and thesaurus. Online dictionaries and
thesauruses are helpful resources if used properly. They can
jog your memory about synonyms that would actually be
better words in the context of what you’re writing. A full
dictionary definition can also educate you about antonyms,
root words, and related words, which is another way to learn
vocabulary.
3. 3. Play word games. Classic games like Scrabble and Boggle
can function as a fun way to expand your English vocabulary.
Crossword puzzles can as well. If you really want to be
efficient, follow up rounds of these word games with a little
note-taking. Keep a list of the different words you learned
while playing the game, and then study that list from time to
time.
4. 4. Use flashcards. A quick way to build a large vocabulary is to
study a number of words via flashcards. In today’s digital age,
a wide array of smartphone apps make flashcards convenient
and easy to organize. Aiming for one new word a day is
reasonable. You can always go for more, but it may not be
reasonable to assimilate dozens of English words every single
day.
5. 5. Subscribe to “word of the day” feeds. Some web platforms
will provide you with a word a day—either on a website, an
app, or via email—to help you expand your vocabulary. You
can add these words to running word lists.
6. 6. Use mnemonics. A mnemonic device is a form of word
association that helps you remember words’ definitions and
proper uses. For instance think of the word obsequious which
means “attempting to win favor from influential people by
flattery.” Break down that word into components: “obse” is the
 beginning of “obsessed,” “qui” sounds like the French word for
“yes” (oui), and “us” is like the word “us.” So you can think of
that big word obsequious as “obsessed with saying yes to us”—
which is kind of what it means!
7. 7. Practice using new words in conversation. It’s possible to
amass a huge vocabulary without actually knowing how to use
words. This means you have to take it upon yourself to put
your personal dictionary into use. If you come across an
interesting word in your reading, make a point of using it in
conversation. By experimenting in low-stakes situations, you
can practice the art of word choice and, with a little bit of trial
and error, hone in on the right word for a particular context.
 10 Ways to Improve Your English
Vocabulary
10 Ways to Improve Your English Vocabulary |
Grammarly

Popular literature

Reading illustrated books, such as comics and children’s books, will offer
you graphical clues to help you learn new words. Plus, if you’re reading
popular books, there’s a good chance that you can find a translation to your
own language as well.

2 Relevant blog posts

Reading blog posts about subjects and hobbies you enjoy in English is a

great way to familiarize yourself with new English words and will keep your
interest.

Listening

Listening is how we first learn words as a child and can profoundly impact
how we learn to pronounce and use new words. There are lots of ways to
learn by listening.
3 Music

Music is a fun way to learn new words while immersing yourself in the
popular culture of English-speaking countries. Find music in genres you like
and listen along for words you know.

4 (Virtual) events

Attend events in English, like plays, sports matches, and exhibitions, to

listen for new words.

Writing

In the age of the internet, writing has become essential to learning and
using a new language. Because of the one-sided nature of writing, it’s
helpful to have a digital writing assistant, like Grammarly, on your side to
help your words flow easily. 

5 Journaling

Keep a journal of your day in English. This is an easy way to incorporate

new vocabulary into sentences and to check your understanding of any
new words.

6 Vocabulary building

Learn to look for synonyms. If you want to expand your vocabulary, you’ll
have to push yourself to use new words. Grammarly has a feature that can
help you learn new synonyms and find just the right word to communicate
effectively.

Watching

Learn how a new word is used by watching someone use it in context.

You’ll learn about the different contexts that may surround a new word as
well as the gestures and mannerisms that often accompany it. 

7 Movies and TV

Watching movies is a casual way to learn words. Similar to reading

illustrated books, you get the perk of visual cues, while also benefiting from
hearing how the word is usually pronounced. Tip: Combine your listening
and reading skills by turning on the closed captioning in English, which can
be a helpful way to visualize the words being spoken aloud.

8 People-watching

Watch people conversing around you in the world. How are they using their
words? What can you learn about the words they’re using by observing the
relationships of the people and their mannerisms?

Conversing

Now it’s time to take your new words for a test drive. Conversing allows you
to gain valuable input on your word usage and pronunciation while
expanding your vocabulary.
9 Fluent speakers

Host a (virtual!) game night or dinner for your fluent-English-speaking

friends and colleagues. Ask them for feedback on your pronunciation and
language use. 

10 Fellow English learners

Learn from other learners. Join a study group or meet with other local
people learning English. Make a commitment to only speak English when
this group meets.
10 Easy Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary Skills
10 Easy Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary Skills | Indeed.com

1. Learn the roots of words

To build a strong foundation for your vocabulary, it’s helpful to understand the
roots of words. Many words have a common root and a prefix or suffix that
helps you determine what the meaning might be. For example, when a word
includes the root “duc,” a Latin word that means “to make or lead,” you can
assume that the root refers to that Latin definition. You’ll see this root in words
like “produce” or “deduce.”

2. Focus on practical terms and words

Some industries have different definitions for words or use entirely new words,
which is called jargon. If your coworkers and others in your field use technical
jargon, try focusing on building your vocabulary to incorporate these words. For
example, some industries use the word “stand-up” to mean a short daily
meeting.

You can also look for clearer ways to express yourself instead of relying on
cliches that may be difficult for others to understand or skew your meaning. For
example, instead of saying “get your foot in the door,” you could use “expand
your opportunities.”
3. Create word associations

Word associations can help you remember certain words or phrases. For
example, the word “gargantuan” means very large. Try creating a sequence
with the word, such as tiny, small, medium, large, giant and gargantuan.
Forming associations can help you recall words you’re learning with more ease.
These associations can also ensure you remember the word long term.

4. Complete regular vocabulary tests

At the end of each week, create a quiz that includes the vocabulary words, root
words or other language aspects that you’ve been studying. Taking a quiz or
test can increase your ability to retain new words. Every time you learn a new
root or word, create a flashcard. On one side of the card, write the word, and on
the opposite side, write the definition. You can practice recalling the definition
from the words and vice versa.
5. Take a writing class

As you build your vocabulary, you can also improve your writing skills, which
will benefit you in your professional life. Take a writing course online or at a
local adult educational institution that incorporates assignments and tests to
help you boost your ability to communicate effectively through writing. If you
complete a writing class, take notes on any new words you learn throughout
the course.

6. Create groups of words

As you learn new words, you can group them together by meaning. By creating
these groups, you can identify patterns that make it easier to incorporate the
words into your daily speech. For example, you might learn words like
affirmative, efficacious and decisive, which all mean positive. By grouping these
words together, it becomes easier to recall their general meanings and how to
use them in speech.

7. Identify word nuances

Some words have alternate definitions in different contexts. An example of

nuance is the word “frame,” which could have several meanings depending on
the scenario. A frame could be a border that surrounds a picture or window, or
it could mean to outline or highlight a certain physical quality. Identifying and
understanding these nuances in language will help you better know how to use
the words you’ve learned in your communication with others.

Related: Common Communication Barriers (With Examples)

8. Identify words that share meanings

Different words often share the same or similar meaning. You can create a list
of word groups to help you construct new and unique statements in your
writing and speech. Some words have similar meanings but don’t always
substitute for one another, so it’s helpful to review definitions of similar words
before using them. By varying the word choices in your communication, you’ll
sound more polished and professional.

9. Diversify what you read

Most people spend at least some of their time reading every day. Diversifying
your reading choices can help you build a stronger vocabulary since you see
new words from different writers who have varying writing patterns. Adding
new texts and options to your reading list can also help.
10. Edit what you write

When you finish writing any professional text, such as an email or cover letter,
review your content for repetitive words or phrases. Consider using your
expanded vocabulary to replace words you used frequently throughout the
document. By editing your own writing, you can improve clarity, style and tone.

How to improve your vocabulary - RMIT Training

How to improve your vocabulary
Students often come to the Study Support to improve their
vocabulary. Here are some useful tips on how to do that. Which is
your favourite tip? Comment below!

11 effective techniques to expand your

vocabulary
An improved and expanded vocabulary will boost you on a personal and particularly
professional level; the benefits are manifold. Explore the beauty and potential of a
language. Communicate in a more engaging, entertaining way. Speak without
confusion on any subject. Become a better writer or enhance your overall reading
experience. The sky is the limit.

Assuming you have interest in the topic, we are on the same road trying to
constantly add new expressions to our pool of active and passive words. In this
comprehensive article (grab a coffee) I will therefore outline techniques to show you
how to improve vocabulary on a daily basis. It ranges from setting goals and playing
games to writing exercises and language learning. The vocabulary activities and tips
are grouped by similarity but can applied in no specific order. Experiment!

1. Set your goals

It is an interesting fact that if we want to speak a language fluently we only need to
know an average of 2,500 passive and 2,000 active word-families to handle most
types of our conversations. That is 4.5% of the available 100,000-word families in
English. English natives know about 10,000 to 20,000 words. Still something out
there, right?

Before you start filling the gaps, I suggest to make your project a passion or to
simply get enthusiastic about discovering interesting, specialised or rarely used
words. Welcome unknown words, try guessing their meaning, think about their uses.
It can be an eye opener!

If you want to be organised, here we go:

 What is the main goal and purpose? Is it for job, exams or personal reasons?
 How many new words? What is your time frame and schedule? Per day, week, year.
 In which specific areas you would like to expand on?
  Schedule your activities. Stick to 15 minutes a day.
 Get your stuff ready, e.g. dictionary, thesaurus, flash cards, worksheets.

2. Get a thesaurus and dictionary

If you are looking to expand your word palette, the best thing you can do is purchase
both a thesaurus and an English-English dictionary. A dictionary will allow you to
learn what new words mean, as well as how to pronounce them. It will often give you
an example of the word in a sentence, showing you just how to use that word in
everyday conversation and work.

A thesaurus, on the other hand, will show you other words you can use that have the
same meaning in your conversations and work. When used together? They are an
incredibly powerful tool that can become the very basis of your wider reading and
improved vocabulary. Thesaurus.com is a popular online tool.

Free online resources: Thesaurus.com | Oxford Dictionary | Dictionary.com

3. Read. And then read some more!

Words are like pictures. The more we see them the easier we recognise and get
familiar with them. Voracious reading can be one powerful key, particularly to
enhance your writing!

However, despite what some websites and vocabulary teachers may tell you,
reading is not the be-all-and-end-all of improving your word pool. There is no sense
in reading a 500 page book if you are only going to understand 1/3 of the text!
Reading is however a hugely important part to solidly build and improve vocabulary.
These factors are important to approach material effectively:

Remember: Unless you apply speed reading techniques it’s better to take time and

just enjoy the reading process. You may want to approach your text on a word-by-
word, sentence by sentence basis. This is also where the dictionary and thesaurus
come in handy. Grab that dictionary and look the word up and how to pronounce it!

Start Small, Aim Tall: Depending on your age or reading and knowledge level aim
for material that is made for you but is also challenging in a positive way. Science-
Fiction and fantasy books are a great source of imaginary words, while non-fiction
material will increase your vocabulary on a more academic level. Reading novels or
books about contemporary topics will help get to learn vocabulary that is new and
wasn’t around a few years ago.
Read classic novels: As entertaining as the latest celebrity gossip magazine may
be, by itself, it will not teach you the wide variety of words you will be looking to
learn. Often the most useful reading material available for building your vocabulary
are classic novels from literature greats. Whilst they may take longer to digest and
understand, this reading source will also show you just how certain words can be
utilised in conversation and description. ReadAnyBook.com will provide you with a
huge selection of free and downloadable novels for you to get stuck into).

Use Audiobooks: The great thing about audiobooks is that you can find them just
about anywhere, from online sources to your local library. Plug in your headphones
and do nothing more than listen! Even if you do not understand every word you hear,
it will teach you the exact pronunciation and placement of every word. And if you do
understand every word? Then that is even better! Words are often made much
clearer when placed into context and used in conversation, and as a listener, you will
also be presented with an interesting and engaging story to boot! Open
Culture and Loyal Books are two great places to start.

Sign up to receive a word a day: There are numerous sites that will email you a
word a day for you to remember. And it’s a helpful word too that you will be able to
use whenever you like. Add this word to the lists and mindmaps you have created in
Step 4 to further develop your vocabulary. The official English Oxford
Dictionary website is a great place to start, sign up today!

4. Use imagery, visualise

Attach an image to certain words: This is a technique utilised throughout schools
when attempting to educate students in a second language. By getting pupils to
associate an image with a certain word, each and every time they see that image
they will immediately think of that word and thus start to use it in sentences and
conversation.

You can do exactly the same. For long words, try splitting the word down into parts,
each part having a cute cartoon attached to it. There is only one rule here; the more
unique, the weirder the image you attach to that word, the better. Make it truly
memorable. If you have a playful mind try the game Camping Trip which will train
your visualising skills in no time.

5. Play vocabulary games

Online word memory games: The great thing about the internet is that games are
literally everywhere and there are quite a few to improve your vocabulary
significantly. Alongside traditional favourites such as word-searches, you can find
shooters, car driving games and flip cards, all of which will present new words to you
in an enjoyable, welcoming environment. ManyThings.org is a site that caters to a
wide variety of students, from children to adults and also has a hugely enjoyable
selection of games.

Create your own memory games: If a regular or mobile internet connection is an

issue, do not worry! Detailed in section 7 is just how you can create word lists of
similar words that will help you with your memorising of these words. Create a word-
search or a crossword on your Microsoft word, or simply construct one with a pen
and paper. Add in the list of words you want to learn for the day, and off you go!

Use the games in your cupboard: We all have a drawer or a small cupboard where
we all put the family board games. Favourites such as Scrabble and Boggle can all
go some way to improving your vocabulary, and, if you have a dictionary at hand,
you can learn and have some fun while laying down your letters! If you do not have
any games in your cupboard? A journey down to your local car boot sale or to
Amazon Retailers will provide you with one.

Create flash cards: The use of flash cards is one of the most effective ways to learn
new information. Add words into the mix, and you will see your rate of memory
retention shoot upwards. Write some tricky, or hard to learn words onto your cards
and then have a go with them, and watch your memorization shoot upwards!
StudyBlue is an excellent flash card creator and you can take it with you wherever
you go! [Editor's note: quizlet.com and englishvocabularyexercises.com are also
excellent resources]

6. Consider software to improve your vocabulary

Vocabulary Builder Software can help expanding your active word-families
effectively. They should offer extensive step-by-step guides and give access to a
comprehensive word database including in-depth explanations and option to add
images and your own notes. Depending on what type of learner someone is, a
comprehensive program also ships with a variety of games, video tutorials, flash
cards, ability to create and print word lists and of course advanced progress
monitoring.

The latest trend is to make them all cloud-based adding benefits such as social
sharing options, learning in groups and constant system updates. Consider tutors
that allow several systems installs and more than one user account so family and
friends can join the fun. Ultimate Vocabulary 2015 is one popular tutor which is used
and recommended by many people around the world.

7. Write! And then write some more.

Start an online blog: Each and every one of us lives out a different life each day,
and yours could well be one of the more interesting ones out there. Why not write
about it? This will have 2 main benefits. It will encourage you to write down words on
a regular basis, and the more comfortable you become with writing and using said
words, the more likely you are to use them in the future. Find that your writing is
using the same words again and again? Use your thesaurus to find a good
alternative. This will, in turn, give you another word to use in your everyday writing
and conversation!

Write a poem or small song: Whilst you will not be expected to write the next hit
single for Beyoncé or Iggy Azalea, writing down a song or poem with a simple, yet
clear rhyming pattern can be a great tool to use when trying to remember new
words. How about writing a poem that contains a certain word and what it means? If
it rhymes with another word that you are trying to learn, that is even better. If you
want to take the poetry route, then Poem Of Quotes is a hugely enjoyable, easy to
follow site.

Create vocabulary worksheets: Human beings love lists. They make activities

clear to understand, they keep order and you can also easily keep track of your
progress in a variety of activities. Hence, why not use them when trying to expand
your vocabulary? Create lists of similar words using your thesaurus, let’s say fifteen
words of a similar meaning each list. All you need to do is spend 10-15 minutes each
day memorizing this list, making sure you can remember each and every word on
there. Alternatives are professional programs that come with a build-in work sheet
creator.

Create a mind-map: Find that the list is not working for you? Try mind-mapping
instead. Mind maps make the connections between certain subjects incredibly clear,
and if used correctly can be a major asset when expanding your vocabulary. They
will also allow you to give examples of words in use, something you are limited with if
you choose to construct lists. MindMup is a comprehensive, yet easy to understand
site available in this field.

[Editor's note: bring your extra writing to the Study Support Teacher's for feedback
and correction!]
8. Link words!
Find the latin or greek origin of words: This may sound like a time consuming and
rather boring way of expanding your vocabulary. Rest assured that this is actually
one of the most effective ways that you learn. A majority of English words originate
from Latin and Greek. By relating to the word and actually finding its origin and
original meaning, you are much more likely to remember it in the long run, but also
understand new ones quickly.

Think of each word as a new person that you meet. If you just pass over it once, you
are not going to remember anything about it for more than a few hours. If you
engage with it, learn about it and also put it to use? Then you are going to remember
a lot more about it! EnhanceMyVocabulary.com is a good starting point to make the
process easy and enjoyable.

Master suffixes and prefixes: By understanding their meaning you are likely to
grasp a words' meaning faster. This PDF list of prefixes and suffixes is quick and
brief.

Link words from different languages that sound similar: What is meant by this is
that, if English isn’t your first language, use your native tongue to your full
advantage! Take for example the French for the colour pink, which is rose. Roses
can be pink in colour, so every time you see a rose or think of rosé, you will
associate it to the colour pink. Easy! This EDU site gives a great example of how to
to connect words from languages you know.

9. Use new words in everyday language!

Talk with people: Nothing out there beats actually absorbing yourself in an
environment where you are encouraged to use those words as much as possible.
For this particular avenue of exploration, this means talking to as many people as
possible. Engage in everyday conversation, no matter how basic and try using one
or two of your learnt words when talking to somebody. See how they react, see if you
get response. If not? Then try again. It is all part of the learning process, success or
not! LiteMind has some great suggestions on this topic, as well as one or two other
ideas you may wish to try.  [Editor's note: The Couch is also a great place to do this
in Melbourne - and they have free food!]

Type to people: Are you on an online forum focused on your fashion interests? Your
favourite football team? Your favourite hobby? Use this to your advantage! The great
thing about communicating through an online medium is that it is less immediate in
nature than a face-to-face conversation, so you can plan and think carefully about
your response.

10. Run vocabulary tests regularly!

Testing can be fun. And you dictate when! The idea of a test to many of us is no fun.
Sure, whilst you will be putting your vocabulary to practice on a regular basis with the
techniques shown above, once in a while a short test will be in order. Have you
actually remembered those lists you created in Step 7 a week after you wrote them
out? Find out!

Or, if you prefer a slightly more general route, websites such as Memrise will throw
as many words at you to test your skills as you can handle.

11. How to improve vocabulary: A final word 

Thanks for reading this far. You may have wondered why we have published an
article on “how to improve vocabulary” on a site about speed reading. It’s obvious:
This blog is dedicated to how to speed read material effectively. The more words we
recognise the faster we will understand a text, the more we will also be able to
comprehend and retain. Mastering both is just a perfect combination.

Part of the fun of improving your vocabulary is that there are also numerous ways
that you can do so. Each and every technique that is shown in How to Improve
Vocabulary will have its own advantages and disadvantages depending on who you
are, but each and every one will allow you to learn at your own pace.

If you require any further guidance or hints and tips to get you on your way, then
write us an email or comment [Editor's note - comment on the original article here or
on our site below]. We can provide you with additional links you can utilise to your
heart's content. And if you want a daily activity just to keep yourself ticking
over? EnglishTown is one of the best free resources out there.

Final tip: Be aware that people might not understand rarely used or highly
specialised words. Keep it real when talking to children, friends and family. You may
want to impress but you don’t want to sound off-hook in your everyday and casual
talking.

If you wish to help spread the word, please share this post on your favourite social
media network.
How to Expand Your Vocabulary
1. How to Expand Your Vocabulary: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow 1
Read voraciously. Once you leave school, you won't get word drills and homework
assignments that force you to learn new words. It can be easy to stop reading. If you want to
build your vocabulary, establish a reading regimen and stick to it. [1]
 You might try reading one new book a week, or reading the newspaper
every morning. Pick a frequency and pace that works for you, and develop a
reading routine that fits into your schedule.
 Try to read at least one book and several magazines every week. Be
consistent. As well as improving your vocabulary, you'll also keep updated
and backdated, your general knowledge will increase, and you'll be an
intelligent, well-rounded person.
2.

2
Read high literature. Challenge yourself by reading as many books as you have the time and
inclination for. Read classics. Read new fiction and read old fiction. Read poetry. Read
Herman Melville, William Faulkner, and Virginia Woolf.

 Try reading nonfiction and technical books: these will rapidly teach you not
only new ways to speak, but also new ways to think. Read about a variety of
subjects, like philosophy, religion, and science.
 If you usually read the local paper, consider trying the long, difficult stories
in national, international and business newspapers and magazines, like The
New Yorker or The Economist.
 There are many classics available for your perusal at Project Gutenberg and
LibriVox.
3.
3
Read online sources. Read online magazines, essays, and blogs on a variety of subjects.
Read record reviews and fashion blogs.
4.

4
Look up any words you don't recognize. When you see an unfamiliar word, do not skip
over it impatiently. Try to puzzle out its possible meaning in the context of the sentence, then
look it up in the dictionary and confirm its definition.

 Consider keeping a small notebook with you and quickly jot down unknown

words as you come across them for checking later. If you hear or see a word
you don't know, be sure to look it up.
5.

5
Read the dictionary. Dive in. Read entries for words you aren't yet familiar with. This
requires the ownership of a quality dictionary to make it more interesting, so look for a
dictionary that has lengthy explanations on the origins and uses of words, as these will go a
long way to helping you remember the word and enjoy using your dictionary. [2]
6.

6
Read the thesaurus. Look up words you use a lot so you can learn similar words, and use
those words as well.
  Reading and having conversations with others is the most significant way to
improve your vocabulary.[3]
 You can enhance your vocabulary by reading a dictionary or using an online
thesaurus.[4] [v161927_b01]. 1 September 2021.</ref>
 Or take a linguistics class and learn about how languages have formed.
Part 2
Using New Words
Download Article

1.

1
Set a goal. If you're committed to building your vocabulary, set a goal for yourself. Try to
learn three new words a week and work them into your speech and writing. With conscious
effort, you can learn several thousands of new words that you'll remember and use. If you
can't use a word effectively and accurately in a sentence, it's not a part of your vocabulary. [5]

 If you're easily learning three words a week, start upping the ante. Try to
learn ten words next week.
 Looking up 20 new words a day in the dictionary will make it difficult to
use any of them accurately. Be realistic and build practical vocabulary that
you'll be able to use.
2.

2
Use flashcards or post-it notes around your house. If you're going to make a habit of
learning new words, try some simple memorization techniques as if you were studying for a
test. Hang post-its with the definition of a particular word you hope to memorize above the
coffee maker, so you can study it while fixing your morning cup. Affix a new word to each
house plant so you can study while watering.[6]
  Even if you're watching TV or doing other activities, keep some flashcards
with you and study your new words. Always be building.
3.

3
Write more. Start journaling if you don't already, or start a blog. Actively flexing your
writing muscles will keep your vocabulary strong.[7]

 Write letters to old friends and use lots of specific details. If your
correspondence is typically short and informal, switch it up and write a
longer letter or email than you're used to writing. Take time in crafting
letters as you would an essay for school. Make considered choices.
 Consider taking on more writing responsibilities at work. If you typically
avoid composing memos or writing group emails or participating in group
discussions, change your habits and write more. You might as well get paid
to build your vocabulary.
4.

4
Use accurate adjectives and precise nouns. The best writers aim for concision and accuracy.
Get out the thesaurus and use the most accurate word possible in your sentences. Don't use
three words when one will do. A word is a useful addition to your vocabulary if it reduces the
number of words in a sentence.[8]

 For instance, the phrase "dolphins and whales" can be replaced with the
word "cetaceans," making "cetaceans" a useful word.
 A word is also useful if it is more descriptive than the word or phrase it
replaces. For example, many people's voices could be described as
"pleasant". But someone with a very pleasant voice could be said to have a
"mellifluous" voice.
5.
 5
Don't flaunt it. Inexperienced writers think using the Thesaurus function in Microsoft Word
twice in every sentence makes writing better. It doesn't. Using flashy vocabulary and "spelling
bee" words makes your writing pompous. What's worse, though, is that it also makes writing
less accurate than more common words. Using the appropriate word is the mark of a real
writer and a sure sign of advanced vocabulary.

 You could say that "Iron Mike" is Mike Tyson's "sobriquet," but "nickname"
might be the more accurate and useful word in the sentence. Therefore,
"sobriquet" may be less useful in your vocabulary.
Part 3
Building Vocabulary
Download Article

1.

1
Sign up to be emailed a "Word of the Day" using one of the many online
dictionaries. You can also procure for yourself a Word of the Day calendar; be sure to read
the word on the page each day and aim to remember each day's word and even use it
somewhere in your day.

 Visit word building sites such as freerice.com and construct an expansive

vocabulary while nourishing the hungry or doing something else useful.
 There are many online sites devoted to compiling alphabetical lists of
unusual, weird, old-fashioned, and difficult words. Avail yourself of
the search engine to find these sites and to learn from them. This is a great
way to while away time waiting for a bus or in the bank queue.
2.
 2
Do word puzzles and play word games. Word puzzles are an excellent source of increasing
your word knowledge because the puzzle creators will often need to resort to an array of
unusual words to ensure that the words fit into their puzzles and that they are interesting for
the puzzle doer. There are many varieties of vocabulary puzzles, including crosswords, find-a-
word and hidden word puzzles. As well as strengthening your word knowledge, puzzles are
also good for improving your critical thinking skills. For word games, try such games
as Scrabble, Boggle, and Cranium to extend your vocabulary.
3.

3
Learn a little Latin. Although it might seem like a dead and done language, knowing
a bit of Latin is an excellent way to learn the roots of many words in the English
language and can help you figure out the meaning of a wide range of words that you
don't yet know without having to resort to the dictionary. There are online Latin
learning resources, as well as plenty of texts (check out your favorite used books
bookstore).[9]

5 Simple and Effective Ways to Expand Your Vocabulary | EnglishClub

5 Simple and Effective Ways to Expand

Your Vocabulary
Play Word Games
Is there a better way to learn new words? 

This way of expanding your vocabulary is fun and effective. 

Many entertaining games require you to memorize new words and phrases.
For a start, try playing Scrabble, Upwords, or Apple to Apple.

You can also start with more simple games, like those where you need only paper
and pen such as Charades, Pictionary, or Guess the Word. 

These are even more fun because you can play with your friends. Snacks, juice,
paper, and pen can be an ideal way to spend time with your friends. Besides
enjoying your evening, you will also learn new words.

Connect New Words With Familiar Ones

Connect a new word to something familiar so that you can remember it easily. This
is known as word association. Depending on what works for you, you can choose
to associate them by sound, or by meaning.

To associate new words by sound means that you will associate them with the
familiar words that have similar sounds. For example, if you already know the
word ‘write’ it’s easier to learn the word ‘right’ which sounds similar.

Association based on meaning means that you can memorize new words that are
related to the ones you already know. For example, if you want to remember the
word ‘open-hearted’ then you can think of several synonyms like ‘friendly,’
or ‘sympathetic’.

Watch English Movies

Don’t forget to turn on the subtitles. It’s an ideal and fun way to improve your
vocabulary. Thanks to the movies, you can improve your listening and speaking
skills. 

Not only will you learn new words, but you will see how they are used naturally, in
casual conversations.

When you come across a new word or phrase while watching, you can always
pause the movie, write down or come up with an example where you will use that
word.

Hire a Tutor
Hiring an English tutor is a great way to expand your vocabulary. Learning with a
professional teacher is an ideal opportunity where, besides learning new words and
expressions, you can learn how to properly use grammar, practice tongue twisters
and improve your pronunciation.
Learning English with a real person has always been the most effective way not
only to learn the language but to boost your vocabulary. 

The key is in the conversation. 

Nothing better than a teacher who can explain the meaning of a new phrase, and
teach you how to speak like a native speaker.

Read Every Day 

This method of learning new words and expressions happens to be one of the most
effective ones. And yet it’s quite simple: the more you read, the more new words
you will discover and memorize.

So, give your best to find time to read in English every day. Apart from reading
books, you can read magazines, newspapers, blogs, poems even.

Try to guess the meaning from the context. If you can’t, then you can always
search for help in the dictionary.

Final Thoughts
Vocabulary is the main tool in a language. If you don’t know words, then you can’t
communicate at all. Your reading and speaking skills can’t be improved.

So, the more words you know, the better your skills will be.

In the end, speaking English fluently is every learner’s goal. And you can succeed
with a richer vocabulary.

Effective Ways to Build Your Vocabulary – Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation

(jocrf.org)

Effective Ways to Build Your Vocabulary

Building vocabulary is a powerful way to enhance
your life and career
Learning how to build a better vocabulary can be a pleasurable and
profitable investment of both your time and effort. At least fifteen minutes a
day of concentrated study on a regular basis can bring about a rapid
improvement in your vocabulary skills, which in turn can increase your
ability to communicate by writing, conversing, or making speeches.
Acquiring a large vocabulary can benefit you in school, at work, and
socially. It will enable you to understand others’ ideas better and to have
the satisfaction of getting your thoughts and ideas across more effectively.

Of course, you already know thousands of words, and you will continue to
learn more whether you work at it or not. The fact is that many of the words
you know were probably learned simply by coming across them often
enough in your reading, in conversation, and even while watching
television. But increasing the pace of your learning requires a consistent,
dedicated approach. If you learned only one new word a day for the next
three years, you would have over a thousand new words in your
vocabulary. However, if you decided right now to learn ten new words a
day, in one year you would have added over three thousand to what you
already know, and probably have established a lifetime habit of learning
and self-improvement.

Four basic steps to a better vocabulary

While there are not any magic shortcuts to learning words, the larger your
vocabulary becomes, the easier it will be to connect a new word with words
you already know, and thus remember its meaning. So your learning
speed, or pace, should increase as your vocabulary grows. There are four
basic steps to building your vocabulary:

1. Be Aware of Words
Many people are surprised when they are told they have small
vocabularies. “But I read all the time!” they protest. This shows that reading
alone may not be enough to make you learn new words. When we read a
novel, for instance, there is usually a strong urge to get on with the story
and skip over unfamiliar or perhaps vaguely known words. But while it is
obvious when a word is totally unknown to you, you have to be especially
aware of words that seem familiar to you but whose precise meanings you
may not really know.

Instead of avoiding these words, you will need to take a closer look at
them. First, try to guess at a word’s meaning from its context—that is, the
sense of the passage in which it appears; second, if you have a dictionary
on hand, look up the word’s meaning immediately. This may slow down
your reading somewhat, but your improved understanding of each new
word will eventually speed your learning of other words, making reading
easier. Make a daily practice of noting words of interest to you for further
study whenever you are reading, listening to the radio, talking to friends, or
watching television.
2. Read
When you have become more aware of words, reading is the next
important step to increasing your knowledge of words, because that is how
you will find most of the words you should be learning. It is also the best
way to check on words you have already learned. When you come across
a word you have recently studied, and you understand it, that proves you
have learned its meaning.

What should you read? Whatever interests you—whatever makes you want
to read. If you like sports, read the sports page of the newspapers; read
magazines like Sports Illustrated; read books about your favorite athletes. If
you are interested in interior decorating, read a magazine like House
Beautiful—read it, don’t just look at the photographs.

Often people with very low vocabularies don’t enjoy reading at all. It’s more
of a chore for them than a pleasure because they don’t understand many of
the words. If this is the way you feel about reading, try reading easier
things. Newspapers are usually easier than magazines; a magazine
like Reader’s Digest is easier to read than The Atlantic Monthly. There is no
point in trying to read something you simply are not able to understand or
are not interested in. The important idea is to find things to read you can
enjoy, and to read as often and as much as possible with the idea of
learning new words always in mind.

3. Use a Dictionary
Most people know how to use a dictionary to look up a word’s meaning.
Here are some pointers on how to do this as a part of a vocabulary-building
program:

 Have your own dictionary: Keep it where you usually do your

reading at home. You are more likely to use it if you do not have to
get it from another room. At work, there may be a good dictionary
available for your use. At home, most people do not have a big,
unabridged dictionary; however, one of the smaller collegiate
dictionaries would be fine to start with.
 Circle the words you look up: After you have done this for a while,
your eye will naturally move to the words you have circled whenever
you flip through the dictionary. This will give you a quick form of
review.
 Read the entire entry for the word you look up: Remember, words
can have more than one meaning, and the meaning you need for the
word you are looking up may not be the first one given in your
dictionary. Even if it is, the other meanings of the word will help you
understand the different ways the word is used. Also, the word’s
history, usually given near the beginning of the entry, can often give a
 fascinating picture of the way the word has developed its current
meaning. This will add to the pleasure of learning the word as well as
help you remember it.

4. Study and Review Regularly

Once you have begun looking up words and you know which ones to study,
vocabulary building is simply a matter of reviewing the words regularly until
you fix them in your memory. This is best done by setting aside a specific
amount of time each day for vocabulary study. During that time you can
look up new words you have noted during the day and review old words
you are in the process of learning. Set a goal for the number of words you
would like to learn and by what date, and arrange your schedule
accordingly. Fifteen minutes a day will bring better results than half an hour
once a week or so. However, if half an hour a week is all the time you have
to spare, start with that. You may find more time later on, and you will be
moving in the right direction.

In order to review words effectively, all the information on a word should be

kept in one place—in a notebook, for example, or on an index card. Index
cards are convenient because the words can be placed in alphabetical
order, which makes them easy to find when reviewing; and the cards can
be carried around with you, so you can study them anywhere. You should
try to be systematic about studying, so that you are sure to review each
word at least once every couple of weeks.

Do not throw cards away, though; you can get a great feeling of
accomplishment by looking at the growing stack of words you have learned
and by occasionally glancing at an old card and thinking, “Once I actually
didn’t know the meaning of this word!”

Other vocabulary building materials

The steps we have just discussed do not involve the use of vocabulary-
building aids such as books, tapes, or CDs; all that is required is a
dictionary. But what about such materials? Are they worth using? We say
yes.

The first advantage of vocabulary-building books is that they present you

with words generally considered important to know, thus saving you time.
Another advantage of many of these books is that they will use the words in
several sentences, so that you can see the words in different contexts. A
third advantage is that they usually have exercises that test what you have
learned, which gives you a clear sense of progress.
The major disadvantage of many of these books is that the words in them
may sometimes be too difficult for the person who does not have a large
vocabulary. Such a person would have a hard time learning these words
and could quickly become discouraged. We suggest, therefore, that you
scan the materials you are interested in before buying. If most of the words
are totally unfamiliar to you, you will probably not get very much out of it. If,
however, you recognize many of the words but do not quite know them,
then the material is probably at the right level for you.

Many books approach vocabulary building by teaching you word parts—

prefixes, suffixes and roots—and showing you how these parts can go
together to form many different words. You might find this approach useful,
because it will make you sensitive to how words are formed, and this can
often be a help in figuring out a word’s meaning from its context.

The important thing to keep in mind is that these materials are not a
complete substitute for the process we have been talking about. One book
will not give you all the words you need to know. Besides, you are
establishing a lifetime interest in building your vocabulary, and just
selecting one way to approach it may not be enough. However, the use of
vocabulary-study materials as a supplement to the “Four Basic Steps” will
reinforce your learning and speed your progress immediately.

Motivation
Perhaps the most important factor in a successful vocabulary-building
program is motivation. It will be very difficult for you to study words month
after month without a strong feeling that it is worth doing, that a larger
vocabulary will help you in school and on the job, and that it can well lead
to a more exciting and fulfilling life. We certainly feel that this is true, for
nothing we measure at the Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation
contributes more to success in life more than vocabulary. Your time could
not be better spent.

We know you can expand your vocabulary almost as fast as you wish.
There are countless examples of people who have done so. Remember,
you started out in life knowing no words, and now you know thousands.
You can learn many more. Why not start today?

Vocabulary Wordbooks
The Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation offers a vocabulary
development program of 1,440 words selected based on the results of
studies of over 15,000 public and private school students. To learn more
about this fantastic and fun way to learn new words, visit
the Wordbook page.

How To Improve Your Vocabulary For

Writing & Speaking Success
How to Improve Your Vocabulary for Writing & Speaking Success | Brian Tracy

Why Learn Vocabulary?

When you’re working as a writer, words are the only tool that you have
available to help you communicate  a personality, an emotion, or an idea.

Therefore, the more words you know and can use, the more likely it is that
you will be able to find the perfect way to string together your thoughts into
a message that will get the job done.

Having a large vocabulary allows you to say the same thing in a variety of
different ways.

This means that you will be able to rewrite ideas from resources that you
find without plagiarizing the original source.

You’ll also be able to better customize your message to specific audiences.

Of course, having a mastery of the English language will also improve the
quality of your writing as well, and help you establish a sense of
professionalism and expertise.

Is one of your dreams to learn how to write a book ?

Writing a book that is free of grammar and spelling errors will increase your
chances of actually getting it published. By the way, this free guide to
publishing books  will show you a lot more ways to improve your odds with a
publisher.

In summary, if you intend to use written material to share a message or

communicate with the masses, in any way, expanding your vocabulary is an
excellent way to make it easier for you and for your readers.

Expand Vocabulary No Matter What Level

You may already have an impressive vocabulary or you may be starting out
with only a basic set of words that you are able to pull from when you’re
writing.

The good news is that no matter where you are starting out, the process for
improving your vocabulary even further remains the same.

How To Expand Your Vocabulary As A Writer

Expanding your written vocabulary is, fortunately, much easier than

expanding your speaking vocabulary.

The reason for this is that writing offers two big advantages that speaking
does not: time to think and a backspace key, however this time to think,
something introduces people to writer’s block .

When you’re writing, you’ll have all the time you need to search your mind
(or a thesaurus) for the exact word that you need.

You’ll also have the ability to delete a word or a sentence and start over if
need be.

Nevertheless, the goal is to eliminate the need for these things as much as
possible.

Consulting a dictionary or a thesaurus every few minutes may be fine

starting out, but it’s going to make for a slow, painstaking writing process.

You’ll be much better served by having a deep vocabulary that you can
draw from at-will in your writing so that the words flow quickly and
effortlessly from your mind to the keyboard.

7 tips to build a remarkable vocabulary in just

a few days
7 tips to build a remarkable vocabulary in just a few days (indiatoday.in)
7 tips to build a remarkable vocabulary in just
a few days
Follow these tips to build your vocabulary very quickly.

ADVERTISEMENT

India Today Web Desk

New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 1, 2018 16:57 IST

By India Today Web Desk: A good vocabulary can help you communicate
better in everyday life and express yourself in the best way possible. The
better your vocabulary is, the more precise you can be about what you are
saying or writing.

To incorporate a word into your vocabulary, you need to properly

understand its meaning and then use it and reuse it. The following tips
by Philip Sunil Solomon, ELT expert, language trainer, currently
working in English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU),
Hyderabad, (Author of books -- 'Objective General English' and 'Word
Power: Vocabulary Builder', published by Oxford University Press) will
help you build a great vocabulary in just 10 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Read: 8 tips you should follow to speak like a native English

Read: 16 common errors we make in everyday English

1Read

Reading is the single biggest thing that one can pursue to build vocabulary and
needless to mention that it offers a whole host of other benefits as well. Without
specifically trying to study vocabulary, one can encounter tons of new words, the
meanings of which one can often glean from the context in which the word is
situated.
However one should not rely exclusively on context or situation. Reading offers not
just an awareness of words, but a real feel for them.

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The broader and more challenging the reading selections are, the beefier the
working vocabulary will become. Read high-caliber newspapers, journals and
magazines.

2Research

Research shows that the vast majority of words are learned from context. It may not
be emphasized enough, as learning in context of situations and sentences has huge
benefits for all three aspects of vocabulary acquisition, learning, recall and retention.
Vocabulary should always be learnt in context not in isolation.
There are many ways of introducing context into the vocabulary learning, the
simplest being to learn vocabulary in sentences. This has additional benefits of
introducing the readers to several words at a time, and clarifying their meaning which
may not always be obvious from a simple dictionary translation.
Beyond sentences, one can experiment with learning words with stories, songs or
just everyday situations.
For instance, rather than learning weather related words on their own, look up a
weather forecast online, and try to imagine a conversation about weather next week,
and how it will affect the picnic one has been looking forward to so much.

3Listen to learn

One can pick up new words from the people one talk with and listen to. This is, after
all, exactly how we learned words back when we were toddlers. We try to figure out
the context and try them out ourselves.
The effectiveness of this listen-to-learn method depends on who we surround
ourselves with. One should keep challenging oneself by associating with well-
educated people, watching interesting lectures and taking the harder classes even if
doing so makes one uncomfortable. Iron sharpens iron, and vocabulary of those with
keen minds will rub off on us.
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4Write down unfamiliar words you read and hear

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Reading and listening are effective ways to get exposed to new words. Write down
the unfamiliar word encountered while listening or speaking in a pocket notebook (or
smart phone) to retain the word in your memory better.

5Use the Dictionary and Thesaurus

A word can have multiple meanings and shades of meaning, the author or speaker
could possibly have used the word in a different context and even if one guesses the
right meaning, there are chances of misinterpreting. Keep the definitions short, put it
in your own words and immediately record it in your vocabulary notebook. One
cannot really understand and remember the word if one can’t explain it oneself.
Also, jot down the pronunciation of the word phonetically in a way you can
understand. For example, for the word “oblique,” pronunciation could be written as
“oh-bleek.” Try the e-dictionaries which have a button to click to hear the
pronunciation.
In addition to using the appropriate word in the relevant place, pronunciation is
equally important. Pronouncing the words incorrectly is worse than not using the
words at all. After writing down the proper pronunciation, the word needs to be said
aloud several times.

Check the thesaurus and write down the word’s synonyms and antonyms to
understand what the word signified better and if the situation demands, even draw a
picture that can help you remember its meaning.

6Use the new word

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Use the new word several times in communication (spoken/written) as soon as you
can. This will really help sear the word into your mind.

7Make use of smartphones

Make the best use of your smart phone by watching vocabulary development videos,
learn the synonyms, antonyms and different parts of speech of the word at a time.
Keep your eyes and ears open to build your vocabulary through whatsapp and face
book videos and messages.
For instance: Entice is a verb, enticingly is adverb, enticing is adjective, and enticed
is past and past participle.

Word up: how to improve and enlarge your vocabulary | Books | The Guardian

Word up: how to improve and enlarge your vocabulary

A large lexicon helps open our minds, says the memory coach Ed Cooke. Below, try
his online word quiz for fun
 How to crack cryptic crosswords
 How to win at quizzes
 Tackle very hard puzzles
 What does it mean to be smart, anyway?
Ed Cooke
Fri 12 Sep 2014 14.00 BST





14
T he most common question that people ask our team at Memrise is: can

you help me learn a foreign language? A vocabulary rich in French or Chinese words
is indispensable for speaking those languages fluently, and the quickest route to
competence.
But we can be guilty of neglecting our own language. A large native vocabulary is a
gift that doesn’t stop giving. It improves our powers of expression and
comprehension, and opens the imagination.

Words define the shape and scope of our understanding. Learn a word such as
“aglet”, the little plastic end to a shoelace, and you’ll be better able to recognise and
enjoy something familiar and unremarkable. Learn the word “tarantism”, a disorder
characterised by the uncontrollable urge to dance, and you’ll gain the ability to
recognise and describe a trait in yourself or a friend. And, of course, words such as
these are simply fun to know.

Learning vocab can, however, be tricky. If we don’t know the best way to retain new
words, we can forget what we’ve learned.

I like to think of the mind as a garden. Each new word begins life as a seed. It needs
to take root, and will die without attention early on. In this way, expanding your
vocabulary is a long-term activity that depends on good habits and sensible practice.

Here are my tips on how to enlarge your vocabulary.

Little and often

The first rule of learning is do it in small chunks. Brief bursts are better than one long
blast. During a break of only an hour, the brain assimilates new connections, then is
ready for more.

Three words a day is a good number to aim for in a busy life. It’s best to collect words
from your reading, and add them to a wordbook or a list on an app such as Memrise.

Make connections
Memories are connections. So when you’re learning a new word, you want to make
sure it’s connected to those you already know. What does the word “tarantism”
remind you of? Tarantula? Tarantino? Your friend Tara? The link doesn’t matter, it’s
only important that there is one.

Take two other words you might not have heard before: nivial and callipygian. Before
you know their meaning, ask yourself: what do these words make me think of? What
do they resemble?

With a long word like callipygian, you might want to break it into parts.

Visual association
The next step is to connect the sound to the meaning. This is best done with a vivid
visual image. A strong image sticks in the mind for a long time. For example: to link
“tarantism” to its meaning, imagine Quentin Tarantino dancing manically: this vivid
image should lastingly connect the concept of manic dancing with the word.

Nivial might have reminded you of the brand Nivea. It means “growing among
snow”. So to remember it, you could imagine a bottle of hand cream protruding from
some snow.

Callipygian means having well-shaped buttocks, but sounds like “call a pigeon”.
Imagining seeing a pert bird in Trafalgar Square.

Active usage and recall

The more a memory is used, the more it will endure. So my fourth tip is to engage in
active repetition and usage. This is where you get to play with your new words.

Next time you go dancing, for example, think of Quentin Tarantino there with you,
going wild on the dance floor, and you’ll remember “tarantism”.

It’s absolutely fine, indeed recommended, to over-use the word, to abuse your new
knowledge. What do you think of polar bears? “They’re nivial.” Of George Clooney?
“Callipygian.” You look restless today? “Don’t worry, that’s just the tarantism coming
on.” You see someone tying their shoelaces: “nice aglets”.

Words to learn
Try adding these to your vocabulary – how will you make them memorable?

twyndyllyngs (TWIN-dilingz): twins (obsolete, from the Welsh)

apricity (ah-PRI-ci-tee): the warmth of the sun in the cold winter

snollygoster (SNOL·ly·gos·ter): someone guided by personal advantage, esp

politicians

princox (PRIN-koks): a self-confident young fellow (used in Romeo and Juliet)

novercal (NO–ver–cal): of, relating to, or characteristic of a stepmother

yclept (IH–klept): by the name of, as in “a man yclept Ed”

hodiernal (ho–di-ER–nal): relating to the present day (from the Latin)

snicket (SNICK–it): a narrow passage between houses, an alley

tresaiel (TRE–sayle) a great-great-grandfather (legal term)

syzygy (SIZ-uh–jee): the straight alignment of three celestial bodies

Test yourself
Nivial, aglet, callipygian and tarantism were among 50 words suggested by the
Memrise community as their favourites in the English language.
See if you can learn and remember them with this online course to help you learn
and remember these 50 words for fun. Memrise is designed to assist you with all of
the components of memory mentioned in this article, including repetition, testing,
usage and associations. The 50 words will take you perhaps an hour of play to learn,
and you’ll emerge with an invigorated sense of the beauty and fun of the world.
Enjoy!
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our journalism is independent and is in no way influenced by any

advertiser or commercial initiative. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set. 
More information.
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How to memorize new vocabulary faster: 9 tips

How to memorize new vocabulary faster: 9 tips ‹ GO Blog | EF GO Blog

1. Use Memory Techniques

A popular way to memorize vocabulary is the use of mnemonics, which are mental
shortcuts that help you remember more complex concepts or words. For example,
you can create associations between words: If you don’t know how to spell the words
accommodation, just remember that it has two cots that need two mattresses. Or
you come up with an acronym: Like, when you need to go to the STORE to
buy Spaghetti, Tomatoes, Olives, Rice, Eggs. The problem is, of course, that you still
have to memorize the acronym, song, or association, but with a little bit of practice,
you’ll get good at coming up with creative and useful connections. And: The longer
you think about acronyms or associations, the better will you remember the words
that come with it.
2. Create a learning environment

When you’re studying abroad, you will hear and read the language everywhere and
learn much faster through immersion. But you don’t have to go abroad to slowly
increase the number of words you know – you can create an inspiring and study-
friendly environment wherever you are: Buy magazines or books in the new
language, watch movies, and cook (or just eat) the local food.

3. Put the words in context

A good idea to learn more words faster is to put them in context: Instead of writing
lists of random words, try to put them in sentences. That way, you know how the
word is used in real life. Plus, if you come up with funny sentences, it will be easier to
memorize. Depending on how you learn, you can also make drawings or find images
that will complement the sentences and put the words into their natural habitat.

4. Learn from real-life situations

Speaking of context: Movies, TV shows, books, podcasts or songs are not only a
great source for the most common words, they can also help you memorize the
vocabulary because they always come associated with a scene, a person, or a (real-
life) event. So, try to read books or watch movies in the original language (with
subtitles) and figure out what the words mean. If you see or hear a phrase or
sentence that you don’t understand, write it down, look it up and start memorizing it.

5. Take it to the next level

If you want to take language learning to the next level, leave enough space for mind
maps with associated words, synonyms or antonyms. If you want to get the most out
of your learning process, try not to translate the word into your native language, but
instead, explain and describe it in the language you’re trying to learn.

6. Find the tools that work for you

Everyone learns differently, so if you don’t already know what works for you, try as
many different ways – or a combination thereof – as possible: Flashcards, apps,
lists, games, or post-its, are great ways to memorize vocabulary. The same goes for
finding the right time: Some people want to set apart a specific time, others learn
more spontaneously. No matter which approach you choose, be sure to get into
some kind of rhythm – practice makes perfect, after all.

7. Make it interactive

Just like you have to find the right tools that work for you, it’s also important to make
the learning experience as encompassing as possible: Don’t just read the words
from cards or lists – hear them pronounced, say them out loud yourself and write or
type them. The more you make your encounter with the words an experience for all
senses, the better. (Why not eat ice cream while learning what the different flavors
are called?)

8. Focus on useful words

If you want to expand your vocabulary because you want to work at a marketing firm
abroad, you probably don’t have to read Shakespeare’s novels or focus on words
that pertain to the Middle Ages. The more practical and popular the words are for
your career, hobbies and real-life conversations, the easier they are to learn – and
you will be able to use them more often. (This can be like a game: You can reward
yourself every time you used a certain word in a real-life conversation.)

9. Repeat and then repeat some more

Remember to not just repeat current words, but also the “old stuff” that you think
you’ve memorized already. You don’t have to look at the stored words as often as
the new vocabulary, but the more you use the words, the better you’ll remember and
recall them.

How to Improve Your Vocabulary in Fun and Easy Ways

How to Improve Your Vocabulary in Fun and Easy Ways | YourDictionary

Read Vocabulary Books

One of the best ways to improve your vocabulary quickly is by reading books dedicated to
vocabulary enhancement and expansion. Some of the best vocabulary books are unique
dictionaries and thesauruses or even novels that use a lot of different words.

Read Outside Your Preferred Genre

Reading for pleasure is one of the most enjoyable and useful ways for how to expand your
vocabulary. By exposing yourself to new and varied reading material, you'll inevitably come
across words that are new to you. To challenge yourself, read popular books you wouldn’t
normally pick up.

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Use Context Clues
See if you can figure out the meaning of new words based on context clues, or the text
around them. Then, double-check your understanding by looking the word up to make sure
you were correct. If you prefer not to interrupt your reading time, you can highlight words for
later or jot them down in your personal vocabulary notebook.

Learn About Root Words

Over half of English vocabulary is derived from either Latin or Greek. This means that if you
broaden your understanding of these root languages, you can more easily figure out what new
words mean.

The real fun of learning more words is knowing where a word comes from, how it found its
way into the English language, and what its roots are. You can get started on a formal study
of root words by checking out and memorizing a list of common roots, prefixes and suffixes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Root Word Example
Take a look at the words “culpable” and “culprit.” These words share a similar root in
"culp." Have you ever heard the phrase, mea culpa? It simply means "my fault" in Latin.
Both "culpable" and "culprit" derive from that single expression.
A person who commits a mistake (or is at fault) is a culprit; the punishable offense is
the culpable offense, related to guilt and fault. As you can see, learning one root word can
help you learn many more words that derive from it.

Practice Word Association

Word association involves linking one word to something it automatically reminds you of.
This type of mnemonic word association is a great memory trick for remembering not just
new vocabulary, but also people's names. Having the associated words helps trigger your
memory by activating similar neural pathways.
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Simple Word Association Example

Want to know how to improve vocabulary via word association? Consider this example.

The word "colonoscopy" means a medical procedure in which a doctor looks at the inside of
the bowel with a camera. Think of as many words related to this procedure as you can. Some
of your words might be doctor, hospital, stomach, medical, and belly.
Mnemonic Word Association Example

Start with an unusual word like "aristate," which means “bearded." It’s a term used to
describe bristled leaves and grasses. The word "aristate" sounds like the name of the famous
philosopher Aristotle. If you envision a bearded Aristotle, it will help you remember the
meaning of the word in a fun way. Learning how to improve vocabulary can be a fun and
visual exercise too!

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Study Lists and Flashcards

It can be helpful to learn new words in groups centered on a particular theme. You can use a
textbook to find useful vocabulary word lists, or you can look online for ready-made
flashcards to practice new words by category. Start with categories that interest you, then
move on to categories that scare you a little.
Learn a Word Each Day
You can use daily word tools or look up new words to add one word to your vocabulary each
day.

Word of the Day Calendar

There's a reason why word-a-day desktop calendars are so popular. Adding to your
vocabulary in small bites is manageable and approachable. You may even find yourself
looking forward to a new ritual of reading about an interesting word, its definition and its
linguistic heritage.

ADVERTISEMENT
Random Word of the Day
If you don't want a physical calendar, try using an online dictionary to look up one random
word every morning before you open your email. Start typing a couple of letters in the search
box and click on one of the auto-filled words.
Word of the Day App
You can also try downloading a daily word app like Daily Dictionary. The app sends you a
new word to learn every day.

Play Easy DIY Word Games

You can make up vocabulary word games to play alone or with friends.
Word Train Talking Game

All you need for this game are some friends and a dictionary.

1. The first player starts the game by naming a particular word.

2. The next player spells the word, gives its definition, or gives a synonym. If the definition is
disputed, look it up.
3. That player then chooses the next word, which must begin with the final letter of the
previous word.
4. Play passes to the next player and continues until someone is stumped.
5. Stumped players sit out for the rest of the game.

I’m Going on a Picnic Talking Game

In this classic campfire game, players take turns stating an item they’re going to bring on a
picnic. The catch is that the first person thought of a rule for these items and everyone else
has to figure out what the rule is.

1. Add a fun twist by setting parameters, like you can only use words with more than six letters.
2. The first player thinks of a rule for everything you’re allowed to bring on the picnic, like you
can only bring things found in the ocean.
3. Each player names one thing they are bringing on the picnic.
 4. After a turn, the first player says whether you can go on the picnic or not. If your item
matches their rule, you get to go.
5. Play until everyone has figured out the secret rule.

Vocabulary Text Tag

Find a friend who wants to improve their vocabulary and team up for a week to play
Vocabulary Text Tag.

1. On the first day, send a text message to your friend with one word you think they don’t
know.
2. Your friend has 24 hours to respond with the definition.
3. Then, they send you a new word.
4. Take turns sending each other words and definitions for the entire week.

Vocabulary Spinner Game

Print out this simple DIY spinner you can use to play a variety of vocabulary games. The
simplest game is to use your vocabulary list and take turns spinning to see how players need
to express the word. They may have to define it, draw it or even act it out!

Colorful vocabulary spinner

Click to View & Download

Play Fun Word Board Games

There’s no shortage of word games available from online stores or big box stores. Public
libraries often carry word games for patrons to play in groups. Fun and challenging word
board games include:

 Balderdash
 Bananagrams
 Boggle
 Password
 Rummikub
 Scattergories
 Scrabble
 Taboo
 Word Slam

Play Fun Online Word Games

Make a personal challenge for yourself where you try to top your highest word game score.
Fun online word games include:

 Quizzitive
 Text Twist
 Wheel of Fortune
 Word Cookies
 Wordscapes
 Words With Friends

Use a Word App

A tool like Word Finder is available on your computer or as a mobile app for your phone.
You can use it as a resource when you get stuck in word games to see all the words that can
be created from your letters. You can also check out lists of words that start with different
letters to learn new words each day.

Use Those New Words

No matter which of these learning techniques you try, you're sure to improve your vocabulary
if you dedicate some time to the process regularly. Once you find some new words, the next
step is to use them whenever you can. How will you enhance your vocabulary today?

How to Improve Vocabulary: 10 Strategies That Work

November 17, 2021 / 6 minutes of reading

 
Here, we cover everything you need to know about how to improve vocabulary. 

Whether English isn’t your first language or you simply feel as if your vocabulary
game needs some polishing, there are plenty of strategies designed to introduce you
to new words. Perhaps your reason for wanting to know how to improve vocabulary
is that you often find yourself struggling for the right words, or maybe you just love
language and want to increase your vocabulary as much as possible.

Whatever the reason, the following suggestions can put you on the right track for
developing a well-rounded vocabulary composed of a rich variety of English words. 

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Contents [show]
1. Make Reading a Part of Your Daily Routine

One of the most effective ways to build your vocabulary is to incorporate reading
into your daily routine. Even if your reading time is limited to 15 minutes per day,
you’ll develop a greater familiarity with language than if you hadn’t spent that time
reading.

Try and make sure you’re reading something you enjoy, and if it’s fiction, classics,
and contemporary novels that have won critical accolades and awards tend to cover
a wider linguistic range than their counterparts on the average summer beach
reading list.

Nonfiction is an excellent choice as well for those seeking to learn new vocabulary
words, but as with fiction, choosing material that you have a genuine interest in helps
ensure that you’ll retain what you’ve learned, including any unfamiliar words.
However, there’s no reason why you have to stick to either genre — reading a variety
of sources is a better strategy for cultivating a good English vocabulary. 

Here’s our guide about how to read more often.

2. Play Word Games 

Board games in particular can be a fun way to get out from behind a screen
Word games offer another enjoyable way to up your language game. For those who
enjoy solitary pursuits, Sudoku and crossword puzzles are readily available from a
variety of sources.

If you’re the type who likes to do your learning as part of a group, you’ll undoubtedly
enjoy playing Boggle or Scrabble with family and friends, especially if they are also in
the process of improving their vocabulary skills. Board games in particular can be a
fun way to get out from behind a screen, learn something new, and gain a large
vocabulary at the same time. 

3. Listen to Others
They say that the art of listening is dead, and this may very well be true for most
people. It doesn’t have to be that way for you, though — listening provides a wide
variety of benefits, not the least of which is that you’ll learn new things, and many of
those things will be words. As an added bonus, you’ll develop closer relationships
with the important people in your life.

4. Take a Class
Taking a class in just about anything you’re interested in will add new words to your
language. Botany and gardening classes are excellent choices because they
frequently contain binomial nomenclature, which is the naming of plants using their
original Latin names.

Because over half of the words in the English language are derived from Latin, you’ll
learn a lot about frequently used word roots, suffixes, and prefixes, which will often
allow you to make an accurate guess about the meaning of words you haven’t run
across before. If plants aren’t of interest to you, consider taking a Latin class.

No matter what kind of class you take, expanding your knowledge base will
undoubtedly have a positive impact on your vocabulary. And If you’re coming from
an ESL perspective, consider taking a class designed for non-native speakers. You’ll
have plenty of built-in study partners for support. 

Check out our guide to the best online writing courses

5. Use Flashcards
Old-school flashcards are another excellent tool for those seeking to add new words
to their vocabulary. Thanks to digital technology, though, you don’t have to use the
standard 3×5 inch cards — you can access dozens of apps on your smartphone that
serve the same purpose. 

6. Sign Up For a Word-a-Day App

There are numerous word of the day apps available that anyone can easily access
from their device. Word of the day apps often work best for native English speakers
who already have a good grasp of the English language and simply enjoy spending
their time learning different words, but they can also be valuable for those just
beginning to embark on their adventure with learning vocabulary.

For a randomly generated list of words to be most effective, they should be

accompanied by helpful games, exercises, and opportunities for group engagement
to provide context and chances to practice. 

7. Keep a Vocabulary Journal 

Substantial evidence exists that keeping a vocabulary journal helps in vocabulary
acquisition and retention. Your vocabulary journal should include all of the new
words you’ve learned throughout the course of the day, whether you encountered
them while reading, playing word games, or simply in the course of conversation.

It’s important to add entries to the journal on a daily basis, if possible. If you don’t
learn any new words on a given day, use the time to revisit past entries in your
journal.

8. Get a Thesaurus and a Good Dictionary

Keep a dictionary and a thesaurus close by while working in your vocabulary journal,
and be sure to provide each entry with plenty of room for noting alternative spellings
and meanings, synonyms, antonyms, and examples of how each word is used in
sentences — online dictionaries provide an excellent source of these types of
examples. 

As you can see, there are numerous ways to increase your vocabulary. Most people
take a multi-tiered approach to learning vocabulary words comprised of several of
the above strategies and then pulling it all together by keeping a vocabulary journal.
Keeping a journal also helps develop writing skills. 

9. Use Mnemonics
Otherwise referred to as memory devices, mnemonics is a learning technique that
draws on memories to enable the human brain to connect unfamiliar words with
familiar ideas. Because mnemonics uses word association, it helps make things easier
to remember than simply trying to memorize random lists of words. 

10. Best Practices for How to Improve Vocabulary

Best practices for vocabulary building include making a commitment to the long
game by being consistent in your daily vocabulary routine, keeping it fun and
engaging with board games, creative flashcards, and group study to avoid becoming
burned out with the process.

It’s also a good idea to take vocabulary tests every week or so as a way to gauge
where you’re at in your quest to build a large vocabulary. How you use words is just
as important as the number of words that you know, so be sure to practice using
them in context every chance you get. 

Above all, keep in mind that learning a new language is rarely a linear process, and it
can be difficult to learn vocabulary outside of your own language, so be prepared for
occasional setbacks. If you find yourself losing motivation, try spending a few days
on review instead of adding new vocabulary words to your roster.

How To Improve Vocabulary: 10 Strategies That Work (becomeawritertoday.com)

7 Sure-fire ways to drastically improve your vocabulary - Lingualift

How to improve your vocabulary

1. Make use of spaced repetition algorithms (SRSs)
Although the scientific community is still debating some aspects of learning, there is
consensus on how memories form, and solidify in our brains.

The basic concept of spaced repetition is that memories begin to fade shortly after
they’re formed, and disappear into oblivion lest we are exposed to the information
again.
With each exposure, the ‘forgetting curve’ of the memory becomes longer, and
longer until it eventually outlasts your lifetime. This is why reviewing what you’ve
learned regularly is so important to effective learning.

The biggest benefit of using a spaced repetition approach to learning, whether you
follow the Leitner system with your old paper flashcards, or go for spaced repetition
software on your phone or computer (have you tried LinguaLift yet?), is that it
prevents you from wasting time on vocabulary that is still fresh in your memory.

The way most students use flashcards is by adding more and more cards to the
deck, and then reviewing them all together every day, or every week, or eventually
never at all. No surprise, given how unmanageable the pile becomes after a few
learning sessions.

SRS goes beyond regular flashcards by predicting the point when the memory is
about to fade based on your past performance, and then reminding you at this
optimal moment. In theory, if you review regularly every day, you shouldn’t see the
word more than 4-5 times before it enters your long term memory!

2. Study vocabulary in context

Research shows that the vast majority of words are learned from context. I can’t
emphasize this enough, as learning in context of situations and sentences has huge
benefits for all three aspects of vocabulary acquisition: learning, recall and
retention.

This means that you should never learn vocabulary from isolated lists of unrelated
vocabulary, without seeing them as part of a wider picture.

Think of words as puzzle pieces–when they’re scattered around the table, it’s almost
impossible to remember or use them for anything useful. But once you combine
even just a couple of the pieces together, a more meaningful context begins to
appear, and the end result no longer appears unattainable.

There are many ways of introducing context into your vocabulary learning, the
simplest being to learn vocabulary in sentences. This has additional benefits of
introducing you to several words at a time, and clarifying their meaning, which may
not always be obvious from a simple dictionary translation.

Beyond sentences, you can experiment with learning words with stories, songs or
just everyday situations. For example, rather than learning weather related words
on their own, look up a weather forecast online, and try to imagine a conversation
about weather next week, and how it’ll affect the fishing trip you’ve been looking
forward to so much.

Finally, you can also embed the vocabulary right into your surroundings with post-it
notes. You’ve probably tried this method with nouns, but there’s no reason to stop
there! Simply prepend the label on the fridge with ‘white,’ the clock with ‘wall,’ and
the notebook with ‘my.’

3. Make the vocabulary personal, and emotional

You’ve probably heard stories of car crash survivors who can remember every little
detail before the accident. We’ve also all experienced how difficult it can be to forget
something we’ve been told that touched us to the heart.

Neuroscientists have flashed different words and sentences in front of subjects,

scanning their brain activity. Unsurprisingly, the heat maps lit up like a Christmas
tree whenever the subjects were exposed to personally relevant and emotionally
notable information.

This effect can be put to great effect in vocabulary learning when combined with the
previous tip. Rather than settling for a boring sentence like “The photo is on the
table,” try something like “The photo of my wife fell off the desk just when I got the
call.”

The benefit is three-fold. There’s now a very visual story forming around the vocab,
it is emotionally impactful, and assuming you keep a photo of your significant other
on your desk, also immediately relatable!

Throw that sentence into your SRS, and I can guarantee that you’ll never forget the
words photo, desk, or wife ever again!

Try to think of new vocabulary in context of the people you know, places you’re
familiar with or important events in your life. Just make sure not to go overboard
with the imagery, lest you get traumatized every time you need to use one of the
words!
We incorporate this concept into LinguaLift’s language learning system by having
our students use newly acquired  vocabulary to talk about their daily lives. This
makes the vocabulary relatable and memorable.

4. Read regularly, and from a variety of sources

Reading exposes you to the same vocabulary at regular intervals, integrated into the
context of a longer story, personally relatable once you identify with the main
protagonist… all central characteristics of effective vocabulary learning.

This makes reading one of the most effective ways to increase your vocabulary. The
stereotype might portray bookworms as boring and asocial, but studies have in fact
confirmed repeatedly that regular readers are much more expressive if you give
them a chance to speak.

While you read, pay close attention to words you don’t know, but don’t try to look up
everything right away or you’ll fail to appreciate the narrative and eventually burn
out. Instead, highlight words that appear to be particularly useful or central to the
story, then try to figure out their meanings from context before checking the official
definition.

Make sure to engage with material on many different subjects, and in different
formats. The language will be very different depending on whether you’re reading
pulp fiction, a glamour magazine, or the daily newspaper.

If the book you’re reading is also available in audio form, you should also consider
listening to each chapter before or after you read it. If the text and the audio match
accurately, also make sure to try shadowing, an extremely effective learning
method I’ve covered before.

5. Link vocabulary with mnemonics and word associations

Once you get a hang of the language, learning new words gets easier and easier as
you can associate new vocabulary with homonyms, roots and other components
you know already. But what about given names and locations? How do you
remember what are often just random sets of letters?

Last month, I’ve asked this questions to Mattias Ribbing, a three-time Swedish
Memory Champion, and Grand Master of Memory.

Matthias travels on speaking gigs around the globe, encountering hundreds of new
faces every month, yet he never forgets a name! What’s his secret? Rather than
putting pen to paper, or resorting to cheesy smartphone apps that would break the
flow of the conversation, Matthias follows a simple, three-step approach every
time he comes across a new name:

 Think of an image that clearly represents the name. This can be a common
association (Mary > Virgin Mary), sound resemblance (Siegel > Seagull), etc.
 Enlarge the image in your head and combine it with the person you want to
associate it with. If your contact’s name is Bree, for example, don’t just think
of a small slice of cheese, but imagine Bree balancing an enormous round of
stinky in her hands!
 Remind yourself of the image through the day, and a few more times
throughout the week, to solidify it in your memory via the spacing effect.
And that’s it! Follow these three simple steps and you’ll never be the one awkwardly
thinking of a way to attract someone’s attention without admitting you forgot the
name they mentioned just five minutes ago.

Mnemonics are a bit of a controversial topic in the language learning community,

but they can be incredibly effective for some people. The key here is to use them as
yet another tool, not the be-all, end-all learning method.

Like with example sentences, to make this method really effective, make sure that
your mnemonics are both visually and emotionally powerful–hence the benefit of
thinking of a funny visual, and enlarging the object in your memory beyond natural
proportions.
6. Pool new vocabulary from a frequency list
Before you can use any of the above learning hacks, you’ll need a list of vocabulary
to start learning. Ideally, much of that vocabulary should come from encounters in
daily life, whether through reading, listening to songs, watching movies, or paying
attention to conversations in the elevator. In reality, you’ll likely need to supplement
these with more abstract words to target.

A common theme across my suggestions, and earlier blog posts, is that language
should be learned in a way that allows you to use it at the earliest opportunity. That
is a key value of learning in context, of learning vocabulary that is personally
relevant, and generally engaging with words as blocks you can use to construct
something bigger, rather than individual pieces of information.

It should then come as no surprise that my preferred source of abstract vocabulary

are lists ordered by the frequency at which they are used in day-to-day language.
I’ve rarely seen this approach in classroom settings, but found it extremely effective
and popular among many successful language self-learners.

In many languages, learning just 1000 basic words will make you understand 90% of
the spoken language, and even the first 250 most common words will give you a
good sense of the conversation.

If you acquire just 10 new words a day, getting up to speed in a conversation will
take less than a month of casual learning. Learning a language is a huge
undertaking, and it’s misleading at best when edutech companies promise fluency
in a matter of months or even weeks, but mastering a core vocabulary list will make
you very comfortable in all day-to-day situations. And from there, it’s just a matter of
faking it, till you make it!

7. Have some fun with the words you learn

Word games may not be enough in and of themselves, but they’re a fun and
effortless way to increase the recall speed of the vocabulary you know already, as
well as to pick up an occasional new word from your peers.
Crosswords and Scrabble are a good place to start if you’re learning Arabic or Indo-
European languages. Boggle is also great fun and localized for several languages
using the Latin alphabet. Quiddler is a good way to improve your vocabulary, but
unfortunately only exist in English.

Languages like Japanese or Chinese are unfortunately not well suited for these types
of board games, but looking through the app store on your mobile device should
lead you to at least a few options adapted for phonetics and writing systems.

If you don’t want to spend money on board games, or prefer meeting with friends
over coffee or hiking, you can try playing a spoken word game instead. Some old
time favourites include Word-chain or Shiritori (reply with a word starting with the
last letter of the one that preceded), Associations (quickly say the first word that
comes to your mind after hearing the preceding word), and Metaphors (think of
metaphors for things you see around you).

Bonus: Appreciate the language

You can try every learning method you want, but at the end of the day, you’ll only
make rapid progress when you begin to truly appreciate the language… for its
expressiveness, its intrinsic beauty, the subtle differences between seemingly
identical words and phrases.

Find yourself using the same word again and again? Open the thesaurus and try to
integrate a few nuanced alternatives into your language. Notice a pattern? Try
looking up the word’s root, prefix, and suffix, and how they’re used in other
vocabulary.

Rather than learning words as meaningless syllables, discover their etymology.

More than half of English words come from Greek and from Latin, and most
advanced Japanese vocabulary comes from Chinese.

Learning about the origins of the words you use can be very effective at solidifying
the connections in your brain, and guessing the meanings of the vocabulary you
come across in the future. Once you know that ‘ortho’ means straight, you can
quickly guess the meaning of complex words like orthodontist (a doctor who
straightens teeth) or orthography (the proper way of writing).

Beyond the practical benefits, etymology can also be inspiring, and incredibly fun!

Did you know that the word dim sum (點心; small little dumplings from Hong Kong)
means to ‘touch the heart’ or ‘dotted heart’? There are countless legends explaining
the hidden meaning behind the word.

To Learn how LinguaLift has incorporated these concepts into our Language
Learning Program, check out our Home Page.

And while you’re there, be sure to get a free copy of our e-book – Language Learning
Secrets.