How do I improve vocabulary?

by xBartu
28 replies
This is simple question but I have been having trouble from prep till now. How to do this ? What is your advise? Thanks warriors.
#improve #vocabulary
  • Profile picture of the author TeamGlobal
    Hello,

    Here's a site that looks like it might be useful to you.

    http://www.vocabulary.com

    Hope this helps.

    All The Very Best,


    Tony
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  • Profile picture of the author workdfitness
    A few things come to mind on how to improve your vocabulary. One is get a word of the day calendar or something like that and use that word throughout the day in your communication. Also read different books will help with your vocabulary as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    There are good books on vocabulary that can help you. But the best thing to do is to become an avid reader. Read fiction, non-fiction, just read anything you can get your hands on. If you find words you don't know the meaning of, Google them. Then your vocabulary will greatly improve, as will your knowledge.
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    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Ray
    There are some great apps for that,
    Check it out:
    100+ Top Apps for Improve Your Vocabulary (iPhone/iPad) | AppCrawlr
    (Android also, just google it).
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    • Profile picture of the author Benjamin Farthing
      I'll second what Laurence said: you've got to read.

      Fiction is a good place to build your vocab, since it can be fun to read. Start at whatever level you're on, and move up from there. Look up new words as you find them (a Kindle or Nook is great for this). If whatever you're reading doesn't have many unfamiliar words, move on to something a little more complex.
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  • Profile picture of the author RandyChen
    Go on Google and search for online vocabulary training. You can take paid or free classes online. Make sure to take those online vocabulary tests which should help a lot.
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    • Profile picture of the author smwordsmith
      As a former home schooling mom of three children, two who were National Merit Scholar semi-finalists and the third one heading that way, I wholeheartedly agree with Laurence and Benjamin- read all you can and whenever you can.

      Reading will not only expand your vocabulary but you will gain invaluable knowledge and broaden your horizons without having to even leave your home!

      Thanks for letting me brag about my kids!
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      Sheila

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  • Profile picture of the author Windzal
    Listen or read real english materials and when you find a new word you don't know, simply write down the whole phrase, but not individual word. This is the very powerful method.

    Phrases are easier to remember, because they have meaning, they have a kind of a picture, a story, especially when you get them from something that you're reading or listening to.

    Also, when you learn phrases, you are learning grammar and how to use that word correctly.
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  • Profile picture of the author xBartu
    THanks again warriors you're the best ever.
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    • Profile picture of the author senkcity
      There are plenty of ways to improve your vocabulary and the advice from the other warriors on this thread is great so far.

      The ways I improved mine is as follows:

      1. Have plenty of conversations with intelligent people who have a vast vocabulary
      2. Reading various types of books (as stated earlier on the thread)
      3. Get vocabulary booster audio books
      4. Give yourself a tangible goal of learning X number of new words a day. (1 is a great way to start).

      Good Luck and happy learning!
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  • Profile picture of the author art72
    Get a college dictionary.

    I come up with extraneous words all the freaking time, and often question where the hell they came from(!?) - certainly not from school as I've been out of school forever and a day, and I read some, but usually it's marketing related, and the use of those $10 words is usually avoided in copywriting.

    So, I'll look up a word that was placed in my writings, and in questioning it - look it up in a good college dictionary. I have sat there for literally hours, just fascinated by the deeper 'defined' meanings and power words have, it's a lame game I guess, but I'd bet 60-70% of my vocabulary came from that practice.

    A good Theseus (which I rarely use) can help too, as it'll lead you to words with similar meanings, whereby, you can really laser in on what your trying to convey!
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  • Profile picture of the author joesfortune
    First: Read
    Second: Have a dictionary nearby.
    Third: Do crossword puzzles.
    Fourth: Still have a dictionary nearby.
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    Joseph M. Dabon
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  • Profile picture of the author FeelGoodIQ
    Read, read, and read some more. Improving your vocabulary isn't about memorizing a list of words and their meanings, it's about understanding words in their proper context. In my opinion, the only way to do this is to read and challenge yourself.
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  • Profile picture of the author Luke Corden
    I'm with all the readers here. Reading helps you learn new words but it especially effective because you can contextualize them better for use in the future - and best of all it is fun - and at times educational. It's win-win in my book.
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  • Profile picture of the author JoyfulLadyJ
    I agree with Read, read, read.

    When you're writing (anything) consider alternate words to what you would usually write.If you type "usual word + thesaurus" in Google it will bring up Thesaurus which will give you myriad alternatives and their meanings.

    Some versions of MS Word have the function built in to look up words (highlight and right click if memory serves).

    A long time ago I signed up for a daily Email (maybe from dictionary.com?) to learn a new word every day.

    Read some more. Write. Read. Write.

    When a subject interests you, research it. Your vocabulary will expand naturally and easily as you explore something that has captured your attention.

    Best of luck to you.

    Joy
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  • Profile picture of the author trevord92
    Another way is to use a site like Free Rice - you get given a word and choose from 4 possible meanings.

    As you progress with more right answers, it gets harder

    And there's that warm fuzzy feeling that you get because each correct answer also donates a few grains of rice via the World Food Programme.
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  • Profile picture of the author Charliebrand
    Definately reading.

    The more variety you can read about, the bigger your vocabulary will expand.

    That goes for Books, to Magazines, to Emails.

    Set yourself a goal of reading something challenging every day and it will improve.

    All the best
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ten
    I believe that books exist that can potentially help you to improve your vocabulary. There are probably physical and electronic books available that can help you.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    Hi x,

    Read like a machine.

    Read 2-3 hours daily. Feast on whatever books you can to increase your vocab.

    Hope this helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author KeiraBryant
    Daily read new papers and follow English new channels then its easy to learn....
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  • Profile picture of the author abwaller
    I agree with many of the others here. Frequent reading will expand your vocabulary. I also like to keep a dictionary nearby to look-up words that I don't understand.

    My vocabulary improved greatly once I began to read, and I just read books or magazines that I enjoy and want to read.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ricardo Furtado
    Best way is to join a course.

    Another way is to join a group of people who speak the language that you want to learn to speak. You live, eat and breathe with them, day and night – and then see the effects.

    All the best.

    Regards
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    Ricardo Furtado

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  • Profile picture of the author chukster
    I personally prefer to learn 10 new words a day then try and use it in my day to day dealings with people I meet
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  • Profile picture of the author xBartu
    Thanks again warriors ! I have studied from writed this post to now. I improved my English. To read is very helpfull strategy which included English learning. Thanks for your ideas .
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  • Profile picture of the author sarah23
    Read more,
    Watch EastEnders BBC drama and listen to BBC news,
    these does help more in improving vocabulary
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