Be aware of words as you are reading or conversing. If you run across an unfamiliar word, take time to research it to ensure that you understand its meaning. Once you know the correct definition of the word, use it in writing or speaking. The more you use the word, the more likely you are to retain it.
Read whatever you can find that interests you. If you read often, you are more likely to find new words you have never seen before. If you do not like to read, magazines and newspapers are a good alternative to books. The content is shorter and may keep you better entertained. If you do not enjoy what you are reading, you are not going to be able to pay attention, and you will not increase your vocabulary.
Purchase and use a dictionary. A dictionary will not only give you the meaning of the word but will also give you a history, alternate meanings and the root of the word. The more you can learn about a word, the greater your understanding of it will be. The Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation recommends circling the words you look up in the dictionary. By doing so, your eye will be drawn to the word when you are flipping through the book.
Make a commitment to studying and consistently learning new words. Once you begin the vocabulary building process, set aside a specific time each day to study. Review the words you have recently learned, and look up new words. Make a goal for yourself that you will learn a specific number of words per day, and stick to it. Keep all of your new words together in a notebook or on index cards for future reference.
Research vocabulary building materials, such as books or tapes. These materials can be beneficial because they equip you with words that are important to learn, saving you time spent searching. They also provide examples of the use of the word in sentences, helping you learn the different contexts in which the word may be used.