Read! Reading is an easy way to expand your vocabulary. Exposing yourself to different types of writing in different areas will lead you to a variety of new words. Reading also introduces you to words in a context, which makes it easier to understand their meaning and usage. If you stumble upon a word and can determine its meaning from the context of its use, grab a dictionary and look it up.
Try speaking with people. Conversations with people from different walks of life can open you up to new words you may be unfamiliar with. Don't be shy; if you don't understand a word, ask about its meaning.
Purchase a book that specializes in improving people's knowledge of words and expanding people's vocabularies. Many guide books for standardized tests, like the SAT or GRE, feature a helpful list of vocabulary words. Studying these words can help improve your vocabulary.
Make flash cards. Using words you have acquired from books, study guides or other means, make flash cards. Put the word on one side and the word's definition on the other side. Quizzing yourself and repeating the word will help you remember it and its meaning.
Play word games. Games, such as crosswords, Scrabble, and Boggle help you develop a talent with words and force your brain to think about vocabulary.
Learn a new word everyday. This task can be made easier with a daily word calendar, which features a new word with its definition every day.