How to improve vocabulary

Let’s be honest. Almost everyone has experienced that awkward moment when someone uses a word we don’t know, but we nod along as if we completely understand. But in addition to that minor embarrassment, expanding your vocabulary is more important than you might think. Whether you are learning how to improve your vocabulary for a higher test score range, writing an essay, preparing for an interview, or just wanting to sound sharper in a group chat, a strong vocabulary can make a significant impact.

However, discovering how to improve your vocabulary doesn’t have to involve memorizing endless lists of obscure words; instead, it’s about engaging with language, using new words in real-life situations, and making them a natural part of your daily routine. The great news is that building your vocabulary can be enjoyable and far from dull.

Mastering vocab is essential to acing a wide range of tests, from academic entrance exams like the SAT or the GRE to professional certification exams like the Praxis test for teaching. Having a wide vocabulary also makes you a better writer, allowing you to more easily express your ideas in varied and compelling ways, a skill that comes in handy when writing application essays. The tips below also come in handy when learning a new language, especially through immersion.

Studying flashcards and word lists is a great start, but integrating these simple vocabulary tips below into your daily life will make a lasting impact on improving your vocabulary.

Why does vocabulary matter?

If you are thinking, “Why should I even bother about enhancing my vocabulary?” then here’s why:

• It makes you a better communicator, both when you speak and write.
• It helps you understand what you read more deeply.
• It builds confidence in conversations.
• It opens up opportunities in school, work, and beyond.

A rich vocabulary isn’t just required for writers or public speakers; it’s for everyone.

Get to know where you stand

Before you start building, take a moment to assess your current skills, a key step whether you’re preparing for the GRE exam, boosting your ACT performance, or aiming for a higher SAT score range:

• How frequently do you encounter unfamiliar vocabulary while reading challenging texts?
• When faced with difficult words, do you pause to learn their meaning or simply pass them by?
• Are you able to explain advanced concepts in straightforward language?

Consider taking an online quiz to test your vocabulary. It’s an excellent way to see your baseline and pinpoint areas for improvement.

Simple ways to boost your vocabulary

Here are some practical ways to improve your vocabulary. The best part is that you don’t have to approach this like traditional studying for an exam. These simple, flexible, and enjoyable strategies can enhance your vocabulary skills without adding stress.

Read more and read smart

Reading is hands-down the most effective strategy for improving your vocabulary. It’s not about slogging through boring textbooks; instead, think of reading as a way to explore new worlds, ideas, and perspectives.

Here’s what you can read to expand your vocabulary and enhance comprehension skills:

• Fiction (novels, short stories, fantasy, mystery, or any genre that excites you)
• Non-fiction (self-help books, biographies, psychology, history)
• News articles from reputable sources
• Blogs and newsletters on topics you love
• Long-form social media posts by respected writers or YouTube comments from well-known intellectuals

If you’re wondering how to improve your vocabulary through reading, try these smart reading habits:

• Highlight unfamiliar words as you read. Pause and get curious rather than skipping over them.
• Instantly look up meanings using resources such as Webster’s or Google Dictionary.
• Summarize what you’ve learned in your own words. Explaining concepts helps solidify new vocabulary and strengthens your understanding.

By making reading an enjoyable daily habit, you’ll see real progress, making homework, work assignments, and preparing for tests easier.

Keep a word journal

Let’s face it, our brains are not USB drives. We forget things unless we write them down.

Experts like Dr. Cristina Compton, ​Director of Program Development at the Center for Professional Education of Teachers, encourage students to keep a word journal to write down unfamiliar words. This makes it easier to revisit and apply what students learn often.

Why a word journal helps

Writing makes learning stick. It turns passive knowledge into something active and usable.

What to include in your journal

• The new word.
• Its meaning, in your own words (don’t just copy the dictionary).
• A sentence you saw a word in, or make one on your own.
• A synonym or opposite to help you compare.
• Semantic maps, or webs that connect the word to familiar concepts.
• Word maps or visual representations of the word.

You can use a notebook, a Word doc, Google Keep, or even a notes app on your phone.

Learn words in context

Words are like people; you remember them better when you know their story. So, instead of simply memorizing a word, it will stick better when you hear someone say it or use it in a sentence. This will make the meaning of the word clearer to you, and you’ll better understand how and when to use it.

How to learn in context:

• Watch a movie and pay attention to dialogue.
• Listen to how speakers use certain phrases in a TED talk.
• Read a blog post or article and look at the surrounding words.
• When you learn a new word, look up two or three example sentences.

Seeing how words behave in real life makes them easier to remember, like meeting them in their natural habitat.

Use new words in real life

You know that feeling when you learn something new and want to use it immediately? That’s exactly what you should do. Use the word within 24 hours, or you’ll likely forget it.

Here’s how:

• Slip it into a text or conversation with a friend, even if it feels silly.
• Use it in your journal or a social media caption.
• Write a tiny story or paragraph using it.
• Teach it to someone else.

Don’t worry about sounding too fancy! The more you use it, the more natural it will feel to you.

Listen and watch

We don’t just read language; we hear it, too. Audio/visual content teaches tone, rhythm, pronunciation, and even slang.

What can you watch/listen to:

• TED talks (inspirational and educational)
• Podcasts on topics you love
• Audiobooks during your commute or while cooking
• TV shows, movies, YouTube videos with or without subtitles

How this helps:

• You hear how people use words in real conversations.
• You pick up the emotion behind the word, not just the meaning.
• Repetition helps with retention.

Play with words

Who says learning has to be serious all the time? When you turn vocabulary into a game, your brain stays engaged and curious.

Try these:

• Scrabble or Boggle, online or physical versions
• Wordle, a daily 5-letter puzzle that gets addictive fast
• Crossword puzzles, great for learning word connections
• Vocabulary apps
• Vocabulary.com teaches with examples
• Quizlet, uses flashcards & games

Mistakes to avoid

Don’t memorize blindly: Sure, you can memorize a list of 50 words in one night. But will you remember them next week? Probably not. Ed Cooke, memory scientist, writes in The Guardian, “The first rule of learning is do it in small chunks. Brief bursts are better than one long blast. During a break of only an hour, the brain assimilates new connections, then is ready for more.”

Learn words over time in context, through stories, conversations, or real-life examples. When you understand how a word fits into a sentence or situation, it becomes part of your natural language toolkit.

Don’t rush the process: We get it; you want a rich vocabulary now. But improving language skills is more like building muscle than flipping a switch. It takes consistency, not speed. Learning fewer words well is way better than learning a lot of words poorly.

Don’t ignore the pronunciation: Have you ever read a word a hundred times, then said it out loud and realized you’ve been mispronouncing it the whole time? Embarrassing, right? We’ve all been there. Don’t just learn words, understand them, including how they sound.

Don’t forget to review: Repetition is key. You might know a word today, but if you don’t see or use it again, it fades away like yesterday’s dream.

Build a routine that works for you

Just like working out, consistency is everything.

You could try:

• Learning 2 - 3 new words every day.
• Reviewing your word journal every Sunday.
• Watching one TED talk a week.
• Reading for 15 - 20 minutes before bed.

Final thoughts

Improving your vocabulary is not a race. It’s a personal journey, one that builds over time with curiosity and consistency. Start small. Keep going. Celebrate the little wins, like using a new word in a conversation or understanding a complex article without checking the dictionary.