Note: If you are really serious about improving your vocabulary, we highly recommend you check out the popular Ultimate Vocabulary Builder

VOCABULARY BUILDING: THE BASICS

If you have just decided to improve your vocabulary, you probably want to know where to get started and what to do. A great number of people feel that the only way to learn more words is to just prop open the dictionary and start memorizing all the big words you come across. However, the largely unknown fact about vocabulary building is that it’s only really effective when you combine a number of techniques and make some simple changes to the way you go about your daily routine. To help you in doing so, we have compiled the most effective vocabulary learning strategies that you can start applying right away:

1. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SUPERIOR VOCABULARIES!

If your friends are similar to you vocabulary-wise, chances are you are not going to learn new words when talking to them. That’s why you will need to seek out people who do have excellent vocabularies and are very articulate with language. From highly educated colleagues to renowned speakers, listen carefully to their choice, pronunciation and use of words. The more you expose yourself to good language skills and intellectual debates, the higher your chances of adding more words to your mind storage.

2. TAKE SOME TIME OUT EVERY DAY

Don’t just put in a half-hearted effort and skip learning whenever you feel like it. Once you’ve decided on vocabulary building, select a time for working on it every day. Whether its 15 minutes, 30 minutes or more, having a vocabulary learning timetable will keep you on track and make sure you progress.

3. CHALLENGE YOURSELF

If you have always been a reader, you should try reading material that represents a challenge to you. If you have only read fiction, try your hand at serious discussions about current affairs. If you have been partial to the sports pages in a newspaper, it’s time you went through the trade sections as well. Exposing yourself to different subjects in your reading will bring variation and flavor to your vocabulary.

4. SOLVE CROSSWORD PUZZLES

While a number of us already love going through our daily crossword puzzles, you should try them too if you haven’t. They are a great fun way to test your knowledge of words and learn new ones.

5. DEPEND ON YOUR DICTIONARY

Whenever you come across unfamiliar words, make it a habit to look them up in your dictionary. You could also carry a pocket dictionary with you on the go so you can work on your vocabulary building whenever you have time during work or traveling.