The New Age Student’s Guide To Improving Vocabulary

Have you ever felt that there is so much you want to express but you can’t find the perfect words to describe it? Do you ever feel conscious that even though your English is grammatically correct, you cannot converse properly and fall short of words when expressing yourself? Are your conversations with friends filled with overuse of words like ‘awesome’, ‘amazing’ or ‘awful’.

If yes, then you might want to expand your word tank. And the best part is that with the new age tools available at your disposable, the task is now easier than ever! 🙂

So the process of improving your vocabulary essentially involves 3 steps:

Identifying New Words + Learning What They Mean + Using Them In Your Conversations

Here are some great new age ways to help you through this:

1. Read Beyond Textbooks

 
Read, read and read, for pleasure! Read magazines, newspapers, and articles on the internet. Look for topical words like words in the news.

Mark all new words you come across or create a vocabulary journal either in a notebook, your tablet or smartphone to note them down.

Then google for meanings, or use online or offline dictionaries.

If you can, note down the meaning too in your vocabulary journal. This process will ensure that the word is embedded in your memory.

2. Use Vocabulary, Disctionary and Thesaurus Apps

 
Technology has made it so easy to access dictionaries, thesaurus and other word meaning tools “on demand” at a single click of your fingers. A dictionary app on your smartphone or tablet will help you quickly check meanings and prevent you from procrastinating.

Also, a good thesaurus is invaluable – whether it’s a pocket book or an app. You will learn many synonyms and antonyms of a word and their perfect usages.

Recommended Read: Best Apps for Students
 

3. Subscribe to ‘Word Of The Day’ Apps and Mailers

 
There are lots of tools available to help you learn a new word every day, including print calendar books and web sites. Here are a few of the best ones you can use:

– Merriam-Webster Word of the Day
– Word a Day newsletters by Netlingo or Wordsmith
– The OneLook® Word of the Day
 

4. Use The New Words in Conversation

 
Try and do this as many times as you can. You’ll not only learn the words better but they will get deep rooted in your memory, and you might even impress your conversation partners! 🙂

You can also try and use the new words while writing something.
 

5. Try And Figure Out Word Meanings Based On The Context They Were Used In

 
If you come across a new word in a conversation or book, try to first figure out it’s meaning by the context in which it was used. Research indicates that strategies in which you self-evaluate how you have figured out what words mean reinforce your learning of those words.

Recommended Read: How To Improve Your Spelling Skills
 

6. Learn Word Roots To Become An Expert

 
Developing a feeling of interest and curiosity towards words can make you a vocabulary expert! Try and learn word roots to know more about where the words came from. This helps in 2 ways:
– The story behind a word’s origin ensures you never forget it.
– Additionally, it becomes much easier for you to understand other words originating from the same word root.
 

7. Connect Fun And Learning With Online Vocabulary Games

 
You can play several games and activities to practice and remember words. Crossword puzzles, Scrabble, Pictionary, activities to remember 10 words each day and other such things that can make learning easier and fun for you.

You can also play word games on our site: https://www.meritnation.com/games/game-list

We hope these tips help polish your language skills. If you like what you read, please share your feedback and ideas in the comments below! 🙂

 
All The Best!

Team Meritnation