If you are reading a book and come across a word you don't know do you look it up in the dictionary?

Question

I was reading Toxic Bachlors and came across several words that I had to look up. It was a great book, by Danielle Steele.

Answer 1

yeah- but i was a nerdy English major in college, so a voracious appetite for new words was sort of a prerequisite. :)

Answer 2

Yes, i keep a paperback dictionary in my bookbag at all times. Usually, the only time it doesn't always work out is with philosophy books, since many of the terms are from translations and/or are older words that haven't been used in several to many centuries.
Anyway, it is a great way to learn new words and because you may not know them, they were more than likely chosen specifically because of their meaning (another word would not work as well) and so the text is that much better.
Also, i've read somewhere that readers like to read strange words. of course, if you don't know the word, it might have an adverse result. but if you looked it up, the next time you come across it and know the word, you feel smarter. at least, that's what i read. who knows? i don't really feel much. - about anything this week.

Answer 3

Nope. Generally I can figure out the meaning of the word in context. I'd rather continue reading than interrupt the flow. The next time I have a dictionary handy, I'll usually check the definition to see how close I was.

Answer 4

When i am reading a book just for fun i will Not and most of the time i would just continue reading the book and i don't bother to look it up in the dictionary. I know is bad, but i am just to lazy to look for the right definition.
But when i am doing my homework or something important i would always find the right definition of the word

Answer 5

Sometimes. However, if you read the phrase that the word is part of, the meaning may become clear. I like to understand what I am reading though. My Mac has a dashboard with a quick reference dictionary that I use when I'm online. If I'm reading the paper or a magazine, etc, I don't bother to consult the dictionary.

Answer 6

I usually just gather the meaning from the context in which it is used. However, it is an interesting sounding word or catches my eye for some reason, I may jot it down to look it up later for a more complete definition. Language can be beautiful; some words are fascinating.

Answer 7

I hardly ever have this problem, as it is pretty easy to figure out what the word means by how it is used and what context its in. I've actually learned the meanings of a lot of words this way. If I still don't know the meaning, I'd probably ignore it (because I'm too lazy to look it up).

Answer 8

The context usually gives a clue to meaning, but referring to a dictionary is the way I go. Even better, I find the word in my thesaurus which usually gives me several more options.

Answer 9

Yes i do look up a word if i can't figure it out. I was recently reading The English Patient, (which I'll admit was a little over my head) and constantly had to refer back to my dictionary.I love reading, just because i don't understand a word doesn't mean i can't look it up.

Answer 10

It depends on where I am. If reading a book on the plane, no, but if I am close to a dictionary or computer, yes.

Answer 11

If I can't figure it out by the context of the sentence it is used in I get my faithful dictionary.