Read everything you can. Reading books, newspapers, magazines and anything else you can get your hands on will improve your vocabulary. The more vocabulary words you read in the context of a paragraph that helps the words' meaning become clear, the more more improved your vocabulary will become.
Study vocabulary flash cards. According to the Journal of Behavioral Education, flash cards are an effective and valuable tool for teachers in improving student vocabulary skills. There are a variety of websites that offer free vocabulary flash cards. When studying with flash cards, set aside the words as you learn them, in order to focus on the more difficult words. Remember to use the new words in conversation in order to make them a part of your daily vocabulary.
Study the dictionary and thesaurus for new vocabulary words. Make this a game by having someone else pick a word, and see if you can come up with the correct definition of the word when your friend uses it in a sentence. When writing a paper, go back and choose three words on each page to look up in the thesaurus to replace with a new word.
Use new vocabulary words in writing and speech. Practicing the new words will help them become a part of your normal vocabulary. Words that are never used will soon be forgotten. Avoid this by using new vocabulary words frequently.
Sign up for one of the word-a-day websites that sends a new word to your email or phone each day. This is a way to learn new vocabulary as you go about your daily business. When you receive your new word each day, try to find at least two situations in which you can use the new word that day.