Here are five simple ways of improving your vocabulary:
1. If you are a fan of social media you can find dictionaries that share a "word of the day" each day via Twitter, Facebook etc. By following an account that teaches you a new word each day your vocabulary will be enriched enormously. Here is one such example: Oxford English Dictionary Word of the Day on Twitter. Alternatively you can subscribe to a newsletter containing a word of the day here: http://www.thesaurus.com/
2. Learn to use a thesaurus. Many students use a dictionary to find the meaning of a word but a thesaurus is a great tool that teaches you synonyms (words that means the same) and antonyms (words that mean the opposite). Take a word that you know and look it up in a thesaurus and then make a note of the new words you find. Here is a great online thesaurus: http://www.thesaurus.com/
3. Do you read a lot on the internet? An easy way to find the meaning of the word if you are using Edge browser is to highlight the word and then right click with your mouse and then choose "Ask Cortana" from the menu. You will then find various dictionary definitions appear at the side of the page. You can then copy and paste definitions to a document so that you keep a list of new words and their meaning.
4. Develop your own custom dictionary using Microsoft OneNote or Evernote. If using OneNote, simply load the OneNote app or program and create a new notebook that you label as "Dictionary" or give the notebook another suitable name. Create new sections for each letter of the alphabet. Alternatively, you can also have sections that are based on themes - such as fruit, sports etc. You can even have both! When you come across a new word you add it to the correct section and then you add the meaning. You can drag pages within each section into alphabetical order so your dictionary will function like a real dictionary. You might find it useful to use the browser extension OneNote Clipper to clip definitions and save them to your OneNote Dictionary. If you use Evernote then you can use the Evernote clipper.
5. If you like to read e- books online or using a e-reader it is worth noting that most of them have a dictionary function that allows you to look up a new word, thus meaning you do not have to find a separate dictionary or carry one with you. If you use the Edge browser by Microsoft you can now read e-books directly in the browser. To check the meaning of a new word you highlight the word and then right click with your mouse on the highlighted area and you should see the blue Cortana symbol. See the picture below.
Clicking on the Cortana symbol with your left mouse button should give you a range of dictionary meanings for your word.
A really important aspect of learning new vocabulary is to practise using it. Many people learn the meaning of a new word but don't know how to use it correctly. Try writing each new word you learn in a sentence of your own. Look at your sentence and read it carefully. Ask yourself if it makes proper sense. If you are unsure, ask someone who has a good knowledge of English to read your sentence and tell you if it makes sense. Don't be afraid to ask for other people's opinions and help. That is one of the ways we learn.
How do you learn new vocabulary? I would love to hear what tips and advice you have.
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