I would like to increase my vocabulary. How do I go about my goal?

Answer 1

Dictionary , Books ,, anything you can read..

Answer 2

When someone uses a word that you aren't familiar with ask them what it means, then use that word in future conversations. When you use the word in future conversations with that person s/he will probably even feel flattered and inclined to help you acheive your goal.

I have a large vocabulary, but often avoid using words I'm afraid others may not be familiar with because I don't want to sound snotty. If you and I worked together, and I knew you wanted to improve your vocabulary I would be thrilled to use our conversations to exercise my vocabulary, and yours.

I improved my grammar and vocabulary tremendously by working with a man who majored in English. Most of our co-workers were intimidated by his vocabulary and his (bad) habit of correcting their grammatical errors. I was curious. When he said things I didn't understand I asked him to explain. He enjoyed explaining and I learned a lot.

If you can't expand your vocabulary at work use your imagination to find other places where you can socialize with people with well developed vocabularies. The right creative writing class or a journalling club could be just the ticket. Avoid people who want to prove how smart they are. Chum up with those who simply love words.

Listening to vocabulary tapes and CDs may also be helpful. Many people with large vocabularies enjoy excercising them by doing crossword puzzles. I prefer the multiple choice vocabulary quiz in Reader's Digest. Playing Scrabble also excercises one's vocabulary. It has enlarged my brother's tremendously, though I suspect his vocabulary now has a disproportionate number of words containing the letters "z" and "q."

It's important that you learn how to pronounce words correctly. This can be difficult if you are learning words by looking them up in a traditional dictionary. An electronic dictionary, which pronounces words, is much better. Www.thefreedictionary.com is the electronic dictionary that I am familiar with. I suggest you check it out. I think you'll find the thesaurus there especially helpful.

Have fun!

Answer 3

Read the following books - they certainly increases my vocab!

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Murder on the Links by Agatha Christy

And if you want a very odd challenge go and read "The 10th Federalist" by James Madison.

And then just write down words that you don't know as you go along reading and then look them up later in a dictionary.

Answer 4

Good for you! I'd say READ. Read good books and magazines, and lots of them. Never waste time reading "trash." I like to read in bed before I drop off to sleep. I keep a dictionary and a thesaurus beside my bed and look up any word that I don't know, or any word that just looks interesting. Another thing you can do is carry a good paperback dictionary like American Heritage in your purse and browse through it when you have a minute or two free. You might be surprised how interesting and fun it can be to look through a dictionary!

Answer 5

First you have to count how many words you know. Then take a language class, read books, magazines, surf in the net, buy a dictionary and go to the movies for a period of 6 months. Then count how many words now you know and calculate the difference. You will discover how many extra words have you learned...........

Answer 6

read lots of book,
but on top of that look up words in the dictionary for words you do not know. If you seriously want to improve your vocabulary:

Do not just look the defintions for the word in the dictionary, but look up the word in a thesaurus. That source is a writer's best tool.

Answer 7

Hi,
I always check the net for different places that deal with that.
I used to read the Readers Digest and they had words in there each month.
Check around you can find what ya need
see ya

Answer 8

Read Encyclopedias, they offer illustrations and reasons to learn new things; but most important of all read what you enjoy without pictures and if the writer is any good, you will have pictures of the words in your mind.

Answer 9

If you hear or read words that you don't recognize, look it up and use it. Or you could just read the dictionary or just regular books like the people said.

Answer 10

Take an english or reading class

Answer 11

Learn one new word a day and feel free to use it at will, even around people who may look at you funny when you do. Just don't get all arrogant when you start talking all flowery and feel smart.