Build a Better Vocabulary

My confrère Fred was only a dilettante at joinery. His adroitness was inchoate; it lacked panache.

Simple, right? Probably not. How far did you make it through the above sentences before reaching for a dictionary…or giving up hope of understanding them at all?

Starting this article with impenetrable language was not done to make you feel like a dolt, dunce or dodo. Rather, it demonstrates there are scores of arresting words in existence—many of which may be unfamiliar.

Yet knowing and using an abundance of words is not merely an intellectual exercise. The value of a robust vocabulary can have a strong impact on your life. It can enhance your reading comprehension, boost your ability to communicate ideas, augment your writing capability, help you process information more quickly, increase your confidence and turn you into a deeper thinker. Studies have even shown a correlation between people’s vocabulary levels and how much money they make.

In addition, the words you use can help you make friends, strengthen bonds with your family, improve your grades, have more respect from others, forge a deeper connection with God, and have an all-around better life.

To tap into all these benefits takes work, but the results are worth it!

Boosting your word index requires exposure. Judy Montgomery, in her book The Bridge of Vocabulary, wrote that “students learn words based on their experiences not based on their age or grade.” She stated, for example, that a 2-year-old can know the term “periwinkle” after using a crayon of that color.

Yet adding to your mental glossary also requires concerted effort. The Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation put it this way: “Unlike aptitudes, vocabulary is not a natural ability; it can be improved if one is willing to make the effort to do so.” Indeed Career Guide adds, “Building a strong vocabulary over time can allow you to better communicate your thoughts, verbally or in writing, to avoid confusion and achieve clarity. You can build your vocabulary skills by identifying a learning technique that works for you and continually practicing.”

Put these two points together. Your level of exposure to new words is entirely up to you! However, it must be accompanied by consistent effort. Author and journalist Evelyn Waugh stated, “One forgets words as one forgets names. One’s vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die.”

So how can you boost your linguistic lexicon? First, realize that vocabulary is often broken into four categories: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Let’s examine each of these areas along with ideas on how to improve.

Reading Vocabulary

This first category consists of the words you can understand when reading them. The simplest way to encounter new words is to read. Many books about vocabulary building are available. You can check them out from your local library or purchase them inexpensively online. These books often teach a selection of new words, chapter by chapter, with explanations of their meanings and how to use them in a sentence. Mysterious terms like perfidious, turpitude, pusillanimous and wastrel will quickly become clear.

It is also possible to study a “vocabulary book” without it actually being a vocabulary book. Any book can be used this way because all books contain words! The key is to read something that brings you out of your comfort zone. If you typically go for fiction, try nonfiction. If you like to read science fiction, read a mystery instead. Select a biography about an unfamiliar person.

You can also push the envelope by reading texts that are a step above your typical reading level. For example, if you usually read young adult books such as To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice or The Outsiders, push yourself to the next level with one of Charles Dickens’ novels or Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography.

But start where you are. Do not feel you must crack open 1,000-page-long, dense tomes. If you read what you enjoy, as well as expand your horizons, you will quickly notice improvement.

Also broaden your horizons with the news you consume. Read opinion columns in addition to straight news reporting. If you are more inclined to read conservative sources like The Wall Street Journal or Washington Examiner, check out left-leaning ones such as The Washington Post and The New York Times. Reading something with a different political slant will allow you to see different perspectives, and you can notice differences in writing style and word usage.

When you run into an unfamiliar term, note it. See if you can suss out its meaning through context clues and then turn to a dictionary.

Get in the habit of looking up unfamiliar terms like torpor, lout, modicum and quixotic as you find them. If you read hardcopy, circle the unknown word or write it down somewhere for later reference. When reading on a computer or smartphone, the definition is only a click away. As you do this, consider why the author selected a complex word instead of a pedestrian one. For example, if the main character was vexed instead of merely being mad, there is a reason!

It can also be beneficial to look up words you already know. This reinforces a word’s correct meaning, and may show you something new like an alternate definition, a synonym or a fun fact about its origin. In some cases, you may find that a word actually means something totally different from what you thought!

Online resources such as dictionary.com or wordhippo.com make searching for words quick and easy. You can even play audio providing the correct pronunciation. There are also various free, interactive vocabulary tests to measure your word power. “Word of the Day” email subscriptions are an excellent way to be introduced to new words. Pencil-and-paper word searches and newspaper crossword puzzles, smartphone games like Wordscapes, or a word-centric family game of Scrabble or Bananagrams can also stimulate your mind.

Listening Vocabulary

Besides reading, another way we test our comprehension of words is by hearing them. Being entertained by a television show or movie is another opportunity to educate yourself.

If you have never been around horses, watching a movie like Seabiscuit or Secretariat can expose you to terminology you would not otherwise hear, like equestrian, botfly and point coloration. The same could apply to a crime scene investigation show or a medical drama. While these niche terms will probably not become a staple of your conversation, they can add to your overall reservoir of vocabulary. If your selection of shows is limited, there are many free programs and documentaries on YouTube.

Similar to reading, listening to content about a diverse range of topics is essential to boosting your word power.

Even watching a baseball game and listening to the commentators can bring clarity to certain idioms you may have heard all your life but never fully understood, such as “touch base,” “out of left field,” or “right off the bat.”

Podcasts, episodic spoken audio programs, have become a popular form of media. There are scores of podcasts to choose from, ranging from news analysis to book reviews to sports commentary and other subjects. Some are better than others, but podcasts can be a tremendous resource for gaining knowledge and can be listened to anywhere.

Speaking Vocabulary

Words used in speech are your verbal vocab. Conversations are your opportunity to put in practice what you are learning. Of course, be careful to not use impressive words just to show off your “dizzying intellect.” The goal should always be to edify—to help others understand (Eph. 4:29).

The book 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary puts it this way: “Words are your medium of exchange, the coin with which you do business with all those around you. With words you relate to people, communicate your feelings and thoughts to them, influence them, persuade them…your words are your personality; your vocabulary is you.”

In casual interactions, it can be easy to overuse nonspecific words like “good,” “cool” or “stuff.” Work to eradicate these unclear words from your verbiage. Instead, use language that gets across your point with specifics. For example, instead of, “The lecture was interesting, I really liked it,” you could say, “The lecture was thought-provoking. It forced me to change my perspective.”

Conversation is a two-way street. Take note of the words others use to express themselves. Develop an understanding of why people speak the way they do. Avoid conversing only with those in your age group—also seek out people of older generations and engage them. They have had many years to hone their vocabulary. Older people also tend to choose their words more carefully because they have had decades to see how they affect others.

Consider asking a friend to be your vocabulary buddy. Have fun testing out new terms on them such as laconic, garrulity and acumen. Encourage each other to stay motivated and be ready to share a laugh if you slip up and use a word incorrectly.

Writing Vocabulary

Like speaking, writing is a way to communicate your feelings and ideas. Composing a written message can challenge you in ways that face-to-face interactions do not. Emailing someone forces you to be more thoughtful with word choices, as your recipient cannot hear the tone of your voice or see the expression on your face.

Use the word power you have accumulated to clearly convey your message while letting your personality shine through.

Strive to stay in contact with your friends from the Feast of Tabernacles and Ambassador Youth Camp. When you write to them via group chat or social media, put effort into how you describe interesting experiences in your life. Also choose words that reflect your genuine interest in their lives.

If you have an elderly family member who does not use the internet, write them a letter with pen and paper. This could also be a nice touch for even your teen friends, many of whom have never had the joy of receiving personal letters via snail-mail. Once delivered, it is sure to be treasured.

Crafting a thank-you card is another way to use your vocabulary skills. If a person did something you truly appreciated, let them know. Do not do so in a rote fashion—be sincere and detailed.

Also, keeping a journal or diary can be a potent tool for personal growth. Spending a few minutes each day to record your thoughts will lead to a more peaceful and organized mind. This will be a record of meaningful events and lessons in your life to look back on.

Being able to summon laser-precise terms for essays, term papers and other assignments is an invaluable asset.

A Lifelong Pursuit

The possibilities are endless for exposing yourself to new vocabulary words and putting them into practice. You are only limited by your imagination.

What will be the result of all this hard work? You being a more well-rounded person. Scratch that. You will be an erudite adolescent able to orate with the masses—a skilled scribe—a polymath ready to tackle every challenge thrown your way.

Let’s say it plain: A strong vocabulary fosters success.

You may still be searching for who you are as an individual—still developing your goals and aspirations. You may not yet know whether you want to go to college or what occupation you will strive for. But certainly, you want to be successful.

If you have attended Church services for any length of time, you have probably heard the phrase “Seven Laws of Success.” Building your vocabulary is part of fulfilling the second law, which is education. But you must come to understand and apply all seven laws to truly succeed. To learn more—and get a jump on cultivating your reading vocabulary—dive into Mr. Pack’s booklet The Laws to Success. 

VOCABULARY QUIZ ANSWER KEY: C, E, D, A, B, F