How can I increase my vocabulary?

Question

I don't want to read the dictionary and am not so sure that would work very well anyway... so are there any other methods for expanding my vocabulary?

Answer 1

just read - as a much as time allows. as you read you will find word that you don't know then look them up in a dictionary and try to use that word in conversation. I had an english teacher who made three students every day bring a new word that they didn't know and teach the class the meaning of that word. She called it the word of the day assignment. At the end of the week we had a test  on those words and at the end of the month we had a test on all the words for the day for that month. it increased my vocabulary. It did more than teach us new words, it taught about speaking to your fellow student from the front of the class,  how to research ( a lot of kids didn't know how),

it also taught how we can all learn from each other if we make an effort.  

Answer 2

reading..

i swear all teachers tell you that, but it's only the truth.

before you know it you will acquire a very vast vocabulary :)

Answer 3

read lots of books. not dictionary.

not only just books for girls...

scientific books, adventure, history, fiction...etc.etc.

this is how you can increase your vocabulary.

i read almost all books in the school library when i was kid.

book teaches you philosophy. have fun! reading is not a punishment.

Answer 4

Don't hate the dictionary, it really helps.  However I don't think you should go and read it.  Just read books and when you get to a word taht you really can't tell teh meaning, or you never saw it before... look it up in the dictionary.  You can also get one of those electronic ones so you can carry wherever the book goes.   Another idea is "books on tape" ... CDs now a days.   Just pop them in your car, or at home while you are doing things and listen.  You may want to pause them if you want to look up a word.  But this works out nicely also because you hear the new word being pronounced.

Good for you for wanting to improve your vocabulary.  Being well spoken can get us further in life.  You can fit in anywhere.  Have fun.    

Answer 5

Agree... reading is the best way to increase vocabulary.  Read and keep a dictionary near by when you read or watch the news.

Answer 6

Read  a lot of books. Join word of the day. They will send you a new word each day and practice using those words in sentences.

Answer 7

reading the dictionary sounds awfully boring to me, but do keep one handy.  I keep one near my television, if i hear a word that i don't know, i can look it up easily.  looking up words online is very easy, too.  when you know the definition of the word, try using it in conversation, this helps you to remember it.

Answer 8

Just read read read anything.

Answer 9

Trust me, the dictionary is your best bet.

Answer 10

Reading books that are just a little harder than what you can handle easily will increase your vocabulary. If about 5% of the words are unknown to you, that is just about right. Some of them will need to be looked up, and others you can figure out what they mean from the way they are used. The books should be interesting. Reading for pleasure increases what you remember a lot better than reading boring books.