Reading is an excellent way to increase your vocabulary. The more new words you are exposed to the more words you absorb. Help your child expand her vocabulary. The more she reads, the greater her vocabulary will become as well. Encourage your child to read stories beyond her young reader's ability and help her grow a vocabulary. Explain the words the child doesn't understand. Once the child is old enough to read on her own, supply her with a good dictionary and encourage the use of new words.
Look up unfamiliar words you come across when reading. If you don't have a dictionary or computer handy, write the word down and look it up when you get the chance. Use the word several times after you find the meaning. Cement the word and the meaning in your memory by finding ways to use it in writing assignments, conversations or other verbal activities. If you can create a visual reminder, see that reminder as you use the word. You need to connect with the word at least 12 times in order to fully insert it into your memory, according to Francie Alexander, author of "Increasing Vocabulary."
Subscribe to a service that sends you a new vocabulary word each day. There are several free services that will send you an email on a regular basis with the new word and its meaning. Wordsmith.org is one such service and several of the dictionary sites have similar offerings.
Play word games to increase your vocabulary, according to Increasevocabulary.net. You can do this with crossword puzzles, word search puzzles, vocabulary games, scrambles and many other recreational activities. You may find a crossword dictionary helpful for crosswords. Reverse dictionaries can also help you try to find your word.
Listen to lectures and professional presentations. You may hear words you don't know, so keep a note pad handy to jot them down. Look them up or hope the definition becomes apparent in the talk.