Notice that each word has a slightly different meaning. Which meaning seems to work best when talking about an engine? Since an engine has many complexly interrelating (connected together like a puzzle) parts, the word “intricate” seems to be a great choice. Putting an engine together can definitely be intricate work. My choice is made. The thesaurus and dictionary have saved the day and have helped me develop my vocabulary!
Ways that having a strong vocabulary helps when writing include:
Another way to develop a strong vocabulary is to read books with rich vocabulary. These books will help you see the words in context (in their natural settings). The context can help you guess the meanings of the words and can give you a good sense of how they’re used.
The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary gives these definitions (among others):
- complex: hard to separate, analyze, or solve
- intricate: having many complexly interrelating parts or elements
- tricky: requiring skill, knack, or caution
- thorny: full of difficulties or controversial points
Increasing Your Vocabulary
- being able to choose more descriptive words to help your reader envision what you are describing.
- being able to adapt your writing for your audience (e.g., simpler words for children and more complex words for college students).
- creating more variety in paragraphs and sentences with vocabulary words which keep your reader interested in what you have to say.
Another good idea is to keep a word journal. Try to incorporate interesting words into your journal entry for the day (or week). If you’re not sure if you’re using the word correctly, ask a parent, a teacher, or a brainy friend.
Vocabulary games are another great way to develop your vocabulary. You can find hundreds of ways to build your vocabulary. Who doesn’t love playing games? And these games have the added benefit of helping you add to your writer’s “toolbox.” Do you have difficulty with homophones (words that sound alike)? Then try these homophone games. You can even bone up on synonyms (words with similar meanings). Learning the meanings of root words is another way you can strengthen your vocabulary skills, so try these games and see what you know. Strengthening your vocabulary doesn’t have to be boring!
After you remember to close your mouth, which has been hanging open, you run next door to tell your friend what you saw. What do you say? If you know a couple of key words, you can quickly explain to this person what you saw. Instead of describing the number of windows and the length of the car, you could simply say that you saw a black limousine (a long, luxurious car). Then, instead of describing the man with the white gloves, you could say you saw the chauffeur (someone paid to drive a car or limousine) walk to the back of the car. Knowing these key words can help you quickly and effectively communicate your meaning.
22. Watershed – an event or period that marks a turning point – N
45. Autonomy – independence or self governance
32. Duplicitous – deliberately deceitful in speech/behavior – Adj.
19. Resurgence – an increase or revival after a period of limited activity – N
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Although it’s true that vocabulary is one of the lesser criteria by which students’ ACT essays are graded, the small boost it may give to a student’s score could be the difference between a good score and a great score. For those who are already confident in their ability to create and support a well-reasoned argument but still want to go the extra mile, having a few general-purpose, impressive-sounding vocabulary words up one’s sleeve is a great way to tack on even more points.
44. Zealot – a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals – N
Read everything you can get your hands on. In addition to the targeted research of a topic, make a general decision to read more overall. Also, practice critical reading when you read academic sources.
As discussed above, understanding the roots of words - that is, the parts of words in their most simplest form – will often help you figure out a word you don't know the meaning of immediately. So, as you're learning new words, try to break them down and look for how they've been formed. For example:
As you read in preparation for your essays, be alert to new words. It is so easy to ignore them – both the ones we read and the ones we hear. Whatever the context, don’t ignore these words. If you're not at your desk, use your phone to make a note of a new word, so that you can go back later to find out the definition.
So aim to learn around 10 new words every week. It doesn't take a genius to work out that if you kept this up, you'd learn over 500 words by this time next year. That'll give you a LOT of variation in your writing!
Read, read, read, read.
This may sound unnecessary, but remember the reason why knowing more words will benefit you. The more words you know, the more eloquently you'll be able to articulate your arguments in your essay writing. And the better you present your arguments, the higher grades you're likely to score.
Biology – this is formed from 'bio', taken from the Greek word 'bios' meaning "life"
First, you can buy or loan from your library a good etymological dictionary. Or use this free, well-researched online dictionary that’s specifically dedicated to etymology.
Ask yourself questions such as this and paint a mental picture of the world around you using the most descriptive language that you can.
When you read, you’ll see new words put into use by writers who are likely to have a diverse vocabulary and you can add these words to your own vocabulary as you come across them.
You’ll also be able to better customize your message to specific audiences.
You may already have an impressive vocabulary or you may be starting out with only a basic set of words that you are able to pull from when you’re writing.
6. Commit to Learning One New Word Every Day
Each day, choose a new word to memorize and try to use that word as often as you can throughout the day.
There are plenty of effective activities that you can use to put the words you learn into practice as well as learn new vocabulary words in the process.
Below, we’ll take a comprehensive look at why improving your vocabulary matter, and we’ll review a variety of methods that you can use to quickly grow your vocabulary.
Vocabulary tests allow you to test your current vocabulary and receive a score at the end of the test that lets you know what level you are on. In addition to improving your vocabulary by exposing you to new words, these tests also allow you to gauge your progress so that you will know if and by how much your vocabulary is improving.
If you want to improve your vocabulary, you have to change this habit. When you see a new word look it up in a dictionary.
Read everything you can get your hands on. In addition to the targeted research of a topic, make a general decision to read more overall. Also, practice critical reading when you read academic sources.
But when you’re essay writing on a regular basis, you need to be able to express yourself clearly and accurately. And this skill will be easier for you if you have a great stock of learned vocabulary. Here are some top tips to help grow yours.
This may sound unnecessary, but remember the reason why knowing more words will benefit you. The more words you know, the more eloquently you'll be able to articulate your arguments in your essay writing. And the better you present your arguments, the higher grades you're likely to score.
Read, read, read, read.
As discussed above, understanding the roots of words - that is, the parts of words in their most simplest form – will often help you figure out a word you don't know the meaning of immediately. So, as you're learning new words, try to break them down and look for how they've been formed. For example:
Biology – this is formed from 'bio', taken from the Greek word 'bios' meaning "life"
So aim to learn around 10 new words every week. It doesn't take a genius to work out that if you kept this up, you'd learn over 500 words by this time next year. That'll give you a LOT of variation in your writing!
First, you can buy or loan from your library a good etymological dictionary. Or use this free, well-researched online dictionary that’s specifically dedicated to etymology.