Words (increasing vocabulary)

Rhino

I have to take these tests and part of the test is having to find synonyms for words.

It's all "Standard American English", but most of the words are very obscure; or at least not common to me (and I read a lot).

So I basically looking to increase my vocabulary, but the problem I have with this is that if I never use these words, read or hear them then I tend to forgot them quickly.

I tried working new words into normal conversations, but usually comes out awkward and forced.

Lewisham

What tests are they?

For the GRE, I didn't know most of the words, but I used word roots and plain old intuition to get through. I think the synonym element of the test is complete nonsense, but I guess it works for you Americans.

Pheezer

Read more. A lot more.

Also, give some more details. Give some examples of the sorts of words you have trouble remembering.

I'm willing to bet they're just outdated words that aren't commonly used any more, meaning that if you pick up a taste for older English fiction, you'll pick up more words.

Most of the time though, you can get around it by looking at the words, recalling similar words (same root), looking if there are any typical modifiers present (de-, an-, ex-, etc.) and making an educated guess.

Quoth

I used to teach just about every test prep type (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT Verbal). My patented (not really) method is as follows:

1) Get a bunch of index cards or cut paper into squares/rectangles.
2) On the front, write the word. Nice and big so you can read it.
3) On the back, write the definition, but not a long version of the definition. Something concise. Include obscure definitions and synonyms.
4) On the front, write a brief phrase or draw a picture to remind you of the definition(s). It should be something personal that will immediately trigger that "aha" moment in your brain. Like for "misanthrope" you could write "Ebenezer Scrooge" or maybe draw a picture of your feminazi ex-girlfriend.
5) On the back, write a sentence using the word, but leave a blank where the word should be. Again, this should be something personal that will help you remember the definition. Ideally, write the sentence so that it somehow defines the word, like, "My boss talks in such a _______ way that I sometimes feel like I'm back in school."
6) Use the notecards to study. Start by filling in the blank on the sentence. Then when you get more comfortable with the word, flip to the other side and try to remember the definition based on the picture/phrase.

Good luck!

Qorzm

My Word Coach for the Nintendo DS might be a fun way to learn of 17,000 words, if you have a DS and would like to increase your vocabulary in the long run.

Rhino

Qorzm wrote: »

My Word Coach for the Nintendo DS might be a fun way to learn of 17,000 words, if you have a DS and would like to increase your vocabulary in the long run.

Hrm, that looks pretty neat. Have you tried it?

I don't have a DS, but looked though there and seen brain age, is that any good?

Any other educational games of the DS?

TychoCelchuuu

The way I learned tons of words was by reading, but if books are scary or something I'd go for Word Power Made Easy, which itself is a book. Really, though, reading is the best way by far. You won't sound awkward or forced if you've learned the words in a natural environment instead of through some sort of listing mechanism.

Doesn't even need to be books. The New Yorker and other magazines or short fiction or whatever work just as well. Anything that you have to read, really.

descolada

I picked up My Word Coach from gamestop when I was home for Christmas. While I was initially reluctant to pay 30 bucks for a vocab builder, I've been more than satisfied. If you have any love of words, you will adore this game.

For me, it's been a mixture of teaching and reinforcement. Many of the words that I see are ones that I might have seen before, but whose meaning is a little iffy to me. The games are simple but varied; you unlock them as you progress, as well as higher difficulty levels.

When you first start, the game grades you and provides you with an "Expression Potential," which serves as your baseline. Each day you can improve it by reaching a set goal of correct answers from the various games. For example, I stared at 60 percent and have increased to 67 percent over the course of two weeks play. Aside from stroking your ego, I hesitate to value this measurement too much...

It also includes a dictionary, though I've never used it. Might come in handy if you find yourself without any other options though.

Qorzm

I haven't tried My Word Coach (descolada seems to like it quite a bit), but I got My French Coach for my little sister and I am very impressed with it. There is also a Spanish Coach which I assume is just as great.

As for more educational games, Brain Age and Brain Age 2 are probably the best. There are other games that help keep your brain active, but they are mostly just rip-offs of Brain Age.

TychoCelchuuu

http://freerice.com + dictionary.com could actually be helpful as long as you pay attention to the roots of the words. When you search a word on dictionary.com the first definition generally tells you where the word came from. For example, searching "converge" tells me it's a mix of "con" and "verge." If you don't know what either of those mean, click on 'em and learn away. freerice will teach you new words and dictionary.com will teach you roots, both of which are important components of a good vocabulary.

Tofystedeth

Freerice is pretty fun, but a lot of those words are super-super obscure. Also, they usually go for really simple definitions to make it harder to guess, I guess.
F'rinstance, they have several words for which the answer is "Antelope" like, Ibex, Bongo, Oryx, and what have you. But these are different species living in different areas, so like TC said, have a dictionary with you, and wikipedia. Freerice gives only the barest glimpses of what the words actually mean.