Here are some of the best ways to learn, use, and remember new words.
Words, Words, Words
Whether spoken, whispered, shouted, written, or sung, words surround us all day, every day. How can we harness word power to make sure our own voices are heard above the throng? I believe the secret lies in getting to know words so intimately you can choose just the right one for the right situation. I know of no better coach for increasing one’s vocabulary than my friend Karen R. Sanderson. As a talented writer and editor, words are her joy. I’m honored to welcome Karen as today’s guest blogger.
8 Great Tips to boost your vocabulary
My vocabulary is the result of a life-long love affair with words. It didn’t hurt that I was raised by a former proofreader for Merriam-Webster and a New York Times crossword puzzler.
I keep a vocabulary notebook. Next to the vocabulary notebook, I keep my dictionary (an old-fashioned printed dictionary, a Merriam-Webster of course). Whenever I encounter a word I don’t know, I put it in my notebook and look it up.
I learn a lot of new words; I probably forget a lot more. I have found the best way to retain new words is to use my new words. Also, I –
- Read – This is by far the best way to learn new words. Magazines, books, blogs, websites. If you carry a book around and read while waiting at the doctor or Motor V, keep an index card and pen in your pocket or purse for new words you encounter on the go.
- Google – Try Googling WOTD (word of the day) and you’ll be amazed at what happens! You will find a long list of WOTD sites to help you increase your vocabulary. You will find one site just right for you.
- Sign up – Subscribe to a word-a-day site and get new words sent to your inbox.
- Learn in chunks – Dictionary.com has a great theme-related way to study words under subject headings like culinary, performing arts, and sports. There are currently 76 decks of cards under the sports heading, so you can see where this can lead!
- Pick up the thesaurus – When you discover a new word, pick up (or click) the thesaurus and find its synonyms, antonyms, etc.
- Flex the word muscles – Play words games like Scrabble or do word puzzles or crosswords. Learn Q words – they help a lot in Scrabble! Did you know Qi is an alternative to Chi?
- Write sentences – Some time ago I read “carmine” in a book. I wasn’t sure what it meant so I looked it up. It means vivid red. So I wrote it in a few simple sentences. That lava is carmine. New Mexico sunsets are often carmine. I am angry and I am seeing carmine!
- Use your new words – And look smarter! Use new words in correspondence, emails, Facebook posts, on your blog. Your friends will be impressed.
Here are a few of the recent entries to my vocabulary notebook – conciliate, plinth, carapace, fecund, susurration, portending, erudite, and farcical.
“One forgets words as one forgets names. One’s vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die.” – Evelyn Waugh
Karen R. Sanderson
Karen was raised by a mother who wanted to be an English teacher and who worked for Merriam-Webster as a proofreader and an aunt who could complete the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle in a day. Their favorite expression was, “Look it up!” Karen reads punctuation and grammar manuals for fun. Her favorite book is the dictionary.
Karen is an editor and proofreader, blogger, writer, and grandmother. You can find her at The Word Shark website. Find her blog here. Connect with Karen on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.
This article was originally posted to Karen’s blog on May 11, 2011. Click here for original.
Upper Photo credit: “Vocabulary Stones” by Cindy Walcott
Ah, Niamh, what a delightfully delicious display of disobedient, dancing words! I am so thrilled to have so many wonderful writers visit and comment on Karen’s excellent post!
As always, a clearly written, concise and informational blog by our Word Shark. Words in songs, in babies, in wind, in silence, in mind, in heart, spoken, unspoken, sorrowful, exalting, dancing, disobedient. They have minds of their own and are sometimes difficult to discipline. See what I mean.
Glad you enjoyed, Niamh! I love a good vocabulary, for sure.
I forget way more than I look up, but ‘they’ say the best way to remember a word is to use it numerous times right away in a written sentence. Hence the notebook I keep handy.
What a fantastic idea, Karen. That’s an idea I’m going to adopt.
When I was in grade school, we would have dictionary drills…who could find a word first. I usually won, until I’d be kicked out of the drill so the other kids could have a chance. The teacher had no idea how hard I had to work to be first. Usually when I opened the dictionary, some word would catch my eye and it would lead to another and that to yet another. Looking up a word for spelling could take immense amounts of time. So being able to resist all those wonderful words and be first took almost more effort than I could stand…then I’d get kicked out of the game. One of my first clues that life just ain’t fair!
Esther, I can tell from your writing that you love words! Being able to visualize you and the dictionary back then is like a jigsaw puzzle falling into place. And you’re right…””life just ain’t fair!”
Thank you all for your comments! My mother and Aunt Agnes used big words with me since I was knee-high, and if I asked, “What does that mean?” they would reply, “Look it up!” I have been ‘looking it up’ every since.
My husband and I keep a dictionary close at hand in our den, and I’m happy to say it gets used often. Sadly, we don’t remember as many words as we look up!
I, too, love words.
You’ll find one of my favorites in my Facebook comment! 🙂
Brad, you always manage to make my day — I’ve been out of town and under the weather with a rotten cold, but tomorrow will be better. I’m heading over to Facebook shortly! Thanks…
Jolly big hello Elizabeth & Karen!
Well, I love words and language so much I often feel compelled to make-up my own when I feel the need to customize the fit. (Ha, as if we don’t have enough running around already.) Sadly, my agent thinks I sometimes use TOO MANY words, but it’s hard to use one when there are three or four I like equally as much.
Wonderful post! I appreciate and will definitely use these handy dandy tips!
Ooooh, I’d love to hear some of your made-up words, Barbara! I’ve downloaded your novel to my Kindle and look forward to reading it.
Hey, you didn’t list one of my faves “discombobulation” 😀
Love the post – and love words!
I’m sure Karen was so discombobulated that she just forgot! 🙂
As a grammar nerd, I love this! I will pass it along to my students!
I thought you’d like this, Cyndi! Glad you found it helpful.