“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” - Sir Rudyard Kipling
We use words to communicate our thoughts to others – through oral and written communication. Words also help you grasp new ideas and boost your power of persuasion, as well as create a good impression on others.
On an average, most adult native speakers know around 20,000–35,000 words and learn about one new word per day. However, the premise for honing your vocabulary is not merely memorizing words. Usages of words within given context is more important than simply learning the meaning of the same.
Thus, you need to develop habits which can automate the process of learning new words and its usage.
Here are top three habits that can boost your vocabulary significantly:
There’s no better way to learn new words and terminologies than absorbing it from the masters. It is all there in the books. People with good vocabulary read a lot. Start reading like there’s no tomorrow. Read all genres – fiction, drama, poetry, religion, philosophy, science. It will help make your word base more diverse and stronger.
Thanks to technology, you can now have a book in your pocket wherever you go. Carry a dictionary or thesaurus with you to learn the meaning and synonyms of the words that fascinate you.
Simple steps to start reading
- Start by dedicating a fixed time to reading even if it is a mere 15 minutes a day.
- For starters, read the newspaper – double whammy – you get tons of information with bonus words in the right context
- When in doubt or otherwise, read the dictionary/thesaurus. It will never let you down for sure.
- Observe how the writer uses the word and which context it is used in and make notes.
What you read will be the foundation for what you write. The words you eventually learn from all the reading will find its way out onto the paper in front of you.
Just like reading, you need to cultivate the habit of writing. Start writing on topics that interests you. You can write movie reviews, travel experience, daily routine, an imaginary conversation with someone, dating experiences, etc.
Slowly move on to writing serious stuff such as essays and blogs.
Beginners tip to writing
- Conduct a word hunt for the day
- Look up the synonyms and the context of the selected word
- Construct short but meaningful sentences
- Use Hemingway Editor, Thesaurus and Grammarly to improve your writing style and learn powerful words.
Learn from Observing/ listening
Take time out to watch popular talk shows, your favorite sitcoms, movies, etc. There are lots to learn from these – from the pronunciation to the right usage.
Tune into your favorite radio channel, listen to a podcast and download your favorite speech to help you get accustomed to the language and verbiage of the speaker. Go for shows – theatricals, poetry recitals, and the like to increase your vocabulary.
If you can't take much time out of your daily routine, then spend five minutes every day to listen to watch your videos on YouTube. Note down one new word that you learned and find its synonyms. Over time, you will see a dramatic improvement in communication skills.
As Ludwig Wittgenstein said, “The limits of my language means the limits of my world.”
To explore the world, make it a habit to learn new words every day. Remember that learning is a lifelong process. So, you must enjoy every second of this long journey.
Be creative and go the distance when honing your vocabulary. There’s no dearth of opportunity to learn something new and to personalize the learning experience by doing. Last but not the least, practice and persevere in your efforts to develop your linguistic appeal.