at work, or simply wanting to impress your friends, these tips will help you achieve

your goal of an increased vocabulary. You will need Reading material Dictionary Notebook

Note cards Word-a-day calendars Internet access Crossword puzzles and address book (optional).

Step 1. Read as much as you can to encounter words that you don't already know. Step 2.

Use a dictionary to look up the definitions of the unfamiliar words that you come across

in your reading. Remember a word can have different meanings. Note all of the definitions

for your word. Step 3. Use a notebook to keep a list of your vocabulary words. Write the

definition as well as a sentence using the word to help you remember the context. Use

an address book to keep an alphabetical list of your words. Step 4. Create flashcards to

reinforce your new words. Write the word on one side of a note card and the definition

on the other. Quiz yourself by looking at the word and remembering the definition. Step

5. Make efforts to learn a new word every day. Use a word-a-day calendar and web sites

to introduce you to new words. Learn common prefixes and suffixes. These parts that come

together to create words can help you figure out what a word means. Step 6. Play word games.

Use computer games or crossword puzzles to grow your vocabulary and help reinforce the

words you are learning. Step 7. Use your new words in your daily conversations. Continue

using and reviewing your words to reinforce what you've learned. Did you know In 1857,

British scholars decided to build a dictionary to contain all words in the English language.

They created the Oxford English Dictionary, which still serves as the language's definitive

dictionary.