Find books, periodicals and magazines that interest you and read often. Reading is one of the best ways to learn new vocabulary words. According to the Literacy Company, studies of the reading habits of students outside of school have shown that just 15 minutes of daily reading can total more than a million words of text in a year.
Keep a dictionary and thesaurus available while you read. Look up any words that you don't fully understand in the dictionary. Check the thesaurus for similar words to gain a broader understanding of how the new word can be used in a sentence.
Write down any words that you would like to master in a journal. Create a space next to the word and write out the definition and at least three examples of the word used in a sentence. Having all of your new vocabulary words in one place will make it easier for you to practice. It will also be fun to see how many new words you have learned at the end of the year.
Study etymology, which deals with the history or derivation of words. Greek and Latin roots account for about 50 percent of the English language. Learning the roots of words can give you a clue to the meaning of a word and simplify vocabulary building. For example, the root "path" means feeling or suffering. Example words are: sympathy, psychopathic, pathetic and apathy.
Use mnemonic strategies to help you remember vocabulary words. Mnemonics are tools used to assist the memory. One method is to use your imagination to make a connection between the new word and an image that reminds you of its meaning. For example: the word "lawsuit" could be recalled easily by creating an image of a courtroom full of 100 colorful suits.
Repetition is also important for memorization. Go through your journal every week and spend at least five minutes reviewing old words that you have recently learned. Practice using them in new ways.
Play games such as Scrabble and Hangman to help develop your vocabulary and have fun with friends in the process. Crossword puzzles are also a great way to challenge your mind and learn new words.
Sign up on websites and telephone applications that offer "Word of the Day" or "Vocabulary Builder" services for free. You can have new words sent to your phone or e-mail every day. You can also purchase books and CDs about vocabulary that help you to learn new words.