{"id":147897,"date":"2023-11-30T01:48:08","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T06:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/learn-english-vocabulary\/"},"modified":"2025-02-24T22:24:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T03:24:36","slug":"learn-english-vocabulary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/english\/learn-english-vocabulary\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Improve English Vocabulary Effectively"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flashcards<\/a> are great for remembering words you already know. But to actually learn a new word, you have to see it in a sentence<\/a>, use it in your daily speech or\u00a0contextualize<\/em> (to put into context) it in some way. Once you link the word with something bigger, it’s more likely to stick in your mind.<\/p>\n

If you feel ready to give up on learning English vocabulary, don’t do it just yet. In this post, we\u2019re going to look at 17 fun ways to learn vocabulary words effectively.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Join Meetup.com<\/a><\/h2>\n

\"meetup\"<\/a><\/p>\n

People don\u2019t always talk the way they do in your English textbooks. More often than not, they’d use slang\u2014whether they’re online or offline<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One of the best ways to learn vocabulary that you’d use in an actual conversation<\/a> is by having conversations with real people. But talking to English speakers can seem scary, especially if you\u2019re a beginner. You might get lost when people speak too fast, or be afraid of saying the wrong thing in return.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry! All you have to do is find the right group of people to speak with <\/strong>on a website like Meetup.com<\/a>. There, you can start or join groups about hobbies in your area. You can then meet other members in person, and enjoy your favorite hobby together. For example, if you live in New York and like playing the guitar, you might want to join the NYC Guitar Group<\/a>.<\/p>\n

By joining a Meetup group about something that you\u2019re interested in, you might be less fearful about talking to other people. And since you’re talking about a topic you like, it’ll be fun.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be afraid to ask people to slow down when they talk. You’ll discover that most people are very\u00a0sympathetic<\/em> (understanding) and have no problem helping you learn their language. You might make new friends that way, too.<\/p>\n

2. Watch Fun YouTube Videos<\/h2>\n

Watching YouTube videos can be a key\u00a0strategy<\/em> (plan to achieve a goal) in your vocabulary building journey. The reason for this is that there are lots of YouTube videos that provide input and context<\/strong>. This means you’ll be able to associate the vocabulary with images, actions and visual cues.<\/p>\n

There are some fantastic YouTube channels dedicated to teaching you new vocabulary in a fun and engaging way. For example, if you want to learn new adjectives, then why not learn with the sister of the great detective Sherlock Holmes, Enola Holmes<\/a>? In the video from our YouTube channel<\/a>, you’ll learn quirky<\/em> (strange but fun) and common English adjectives<\/a> through this fun movie trailer.<\/p>\n

<\/lite-youtube><\/p>\n

3. Read, Read, Read<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

The more you read, the more you learn. Without even realizing it, you tend to pick up new words when you read. Reading lets you see how words are used in sentences and understand them through context clues.<\/p>\n

There are even some books that are meant to teach vocabulary. These are usually written for students studying for the SATs<\/a>, but they make a great tool for anyone who wants to learn English. For starters, they have definitions of many of the words right there in the book.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, “The Ring of McAllister”<\/a> by Robert Marantz features over 1,000 words that show up in the SATs, with definitions at the bottom of the page. Since this is a mystery book, I can’t give you the\u00a0summary<\/em> (short version) of the book without spoiling <\/em>it. (Spoiling, in this context, doesn’t refer to food or drinks that have gone bad. Rather, it refers to revealing important information about the story or characters that you shouldn’t know before reading the book.)<\/p>\n

If these types of books are too difficult for your English level, you can also try reading comic books instead. Comics have a lot of dialogue, and their text is in smaller, easier to understand parts. Here are some exciting comics for English learners<\/a> I’d recommend!<\/p>\n

4. Use FluentU to Learn Vocabulary in Real-world Contexts<\/h2>\n
\"FluentU<\/a><\/div>\n

I said earlier that new words need context for you to remember them. One of the best ways to get real-world context from home is with FluentU<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n

English Immersion from Your Device<\/h2>\r\n

I get it\u2013learning English isn\u2019t always a walk in the park. But it doesn\u2019t have to be a boring, tedious, or hair-pulling experience either. In fact, making it fun is key to your success!<\/p>\r\n

With FluentU, you can learn English naturally by turning any YouTube or Netflix video with subtitles into an interactive language lesson. I\u2019m talking about language immersion from the convenience of your device<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n

\"FluentU-English-music-video\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Plus, you can import your favorite YouTube videos into your FluentU account to learn from them using the app or website. Or browse our curated library of videos<\/strong> handpicked for beginners and intermediate learners. <\/p>\r\n

\r\n\"FluentU-English-video-library\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

While you watch a video, FluentU\u2019s interactive subtitles<\/strong> let you tap on any word for an instant definition, example sentences, images, and audio. No more pausing and searching for translations\u2014everything you need is right there!<\/p>\r\n

\"FluentU-English-video-with-interactive-subtitles\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

It's all built to help you learn how to use words in real contexts. For example, if I tap on the word \"viral,\" this is what pops up:<\/p>\r\n

\r\n\"FluentU-English-vocab\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Learn even faster with built-in quizzes<\/strong> that reinforce vocab from every video. FluentU tracks your progress, gives you extra practice with tricky words, and reminds you when it\u2019s time to review\u2014so your learning is always personalized and effective<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n

\"FluentU-English-vocab-quiz\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Try FluentU today on your computer or tablet, or download our app from the App Store<\/a> or Google Play<\/a>. Click here to take advantage of our current sale!<\/strong><\/a> (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/p>\n

5. Play a Vocabulary Game That Helps End World Hunger<\/h2>\n

\"freerice\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What if you could learn new English vocabulary and make the world a better place at the same time?<\/p>\n

That’s the idea behind Freerice<\/a>, a free game you can play online. The game tests your vocabulary skills by giving you a word and letting you choose its definition.<\/p>\n

What makes this game really special is that, for every question you get right, Freerice will donate 10 grains of rice through the World Food Programme (WFP)<\/a><\/strong>. So, you can study vocabulary words and help end world hunger! That gives you even more reason to get those questions right.<\/p>\n

6. Play Text-heavy Games<\/h2>\n

\"influent\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You probably already play games on your phone or computer. So why not play games that you can learn vocabulary from? There are many English vocabulary apps<\/a> and games<\/a> that make learning fun.<\/p>\n

For example, Influent<\/a> is basically a more fun version of the immersion activity<\/a> where you stick English words on objects around your house to help you remember them better.<\/p>\n

In the game, you click on objects to hear their names in English. But that’s not all: You also get time-based quizzes to test and help you remember what you’ve learned.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Games have a lot to teach us, and they remind us that studying doesn\u2019t have to be boring.<\/p>\n

7. Have Fun With Word Magnets<\/h2>\n

\"Poetry<\/a><\/p>\n

What\u2019s one place you see every day? Yes\u2014your fridge! Put some vocabulary words on your refrigerator, so that every time you head to the kitchen for a snack or a drink, you\u2019ll see the words right in front of you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, you can use these tiles containing essential English words<\/a>. Some of the words may be familiar to you already, while others may require you to use a dictionary<\/a>. You can even use tiles that have\u00a0themes<\/em> (topics) like “kindness” and “peace”\u2014just type the words “word magnets for fridge” into Amazon.com.<\/p>\n

Whatever you choose, make sure it has words you don\u2019t know yet. You can even make your own magnets, and paste words you want to learn on them. Then, you can make sentences with them, and get something to munch on<\/em> (eat). Fun and delicious!<\/p>\n

8. Start a Blog in English<\/h2>\n

\"wordpress\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Of course, “read a lot” is only one of the many tips on how to improve English vocabulary. You can learn a lot through writing, too! Start a blog in English about a topic you enjoy.<\/strong> Write with a dictionary nearby, so that every time you can\u2019t think of the right word to use, you can look it up.<\/p>\n

There are many free places to start your own blog. One of the most popular options (if not the <\/em>most popular option) is WordPress<\/a> (WP). Here’s a complete guide on how to write a blog post using WP<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Share your blog with your friends. (Maybe your new Meetup buddies would enjoy it!) Ask them to let you know if you used any words incorrectly. As you learn more words, you\u2019ll see that writing your blog will become easier and easier.<\/p>\n

9. Use New Words in Storium, an Online Community Writing Game<\/h2>\n

\"storium\"<\/a><\/p>\n

If you want to have some fun writing, use your new words in Storium<\/a>. It’s a game where you create a story with other users in real time<\/em>. Real time is exactly what it sounds like: the actual time when an event (in this case, the game) is happening.<\/p>\n

Every player chooses a character and gets a set of cards that\u00a0influence<\/em> (affect) how the story develops. Then, you all take turns using your cards and contributing paragraphs to the story<\/strong>. It’s a very motivating way to get some English vocabulary exercise<\/a>!<\/p>\n

10. Find Ways to Use \u201cWords of the Day\u201d<\/h2>\n

\"the-britannica-dictionary\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Every day, choose two or three words to be your \u201cWords of the Day.\u201d Remember them and write them down somewhere. During the rest of the day, make it a game to try and find ways to use these words in conversation.<\/strong> Saying the words out loud in sentences will help you remember what they mean, and your friends might enjoy playing along, too.<\/p>\n

Not sure what “Word of the Day” to choose? Visit Britannica and check out their dictionary<\/a> that’s specially designed for English learners. Each of the entries includes the type of word you’re looking at (e.g., whether it’s a noun<\/a>, adverb<\/a> or verb<\/a>), its audio pronunciation, easy-to-understand definitions, example sentences and the opposite of the word. You can also click their archive<\/a> for more words you can check out!<\/p>\n

11. Use Pictures<\/h2>\n

\"Soucolor<\/a><\/p>\n

Are you an artist? Do you\u00a0doodle<\/em> (draw random pictures or designs) \u00a0in your notebook all day? Use that artistic side to help you learn some new words. Find new vocabulary words and draw what they mean.<\/strong><\/p>\n

How would you draw something that means\u00a0languid<\/em> (tired, slow)? What about to\u00a0laud<\/em> (praise)? Drawing what the word means helps you see the definition in your mind whenever you hear it.<\/p>\n

If you like to draw the old-fashioned way, you can purchase a complete art set<\/a> online. You can also use tablets or other tools to bring your words to life!<\/p>\n

12. Use Context Clues<\/h2>\n

\"Context<\/a><\/p>\n

If the word you don\u2019t know is in a sentence, use context clues. This means you should read around the word to try and figure out what it means.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, even if you don’t know what the word “intricate” means, you might be able to understand it by looking at this sentence: “The plan was so\u00a0intricate<\/em>, it was\u00a0too complicated<\/em>\u00a0to follow.”<\/p>\n

Reading that sentence, you might not get the word’s full meaning. But you can understand that it might mean something like “too complicated.” And you’d be right! Intricate means “complicated or complex, having many connected parts.” See how using context clues can help you figure out what a word means?<\/p>\n

Let’s use another one:\u00a0\u201cI needed a respite<\/em> from studying, so I took a break and had some tea.\u201d Can you figure out what “respite” means from that sentence? Congratulations, you just learned a new word!<\/p>\n

Sometimes, a sentence doesn’t have enough information to help you figure out what a word means. If you still can\u2019t understand the word, look it up in a dictionary or ask somebody to explain it to you. You can also practice using context clues with this book<\/a>.<\/p>\n

13. Connect Similar Words Together<\/h2>\n

\"Oxford<\/a><\/p>\n

Aside from learning words in context, you can also try to remember words by groups. <\/strong><\/p>\n

If you just learned the word humongous<\/em> (very large), you can memorize it by thinking of a group of words getting bigger and bigger\u2014large, huge, humongous. This also gives you the chance to learn even more words at the same time.<\/p>\n

One tool that can be useful for this is a\u00a0thesaurus <\/em>(a book that groups words with similar meanings together). For example, the entries in the Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus<\/a> each have three to 10\u00a0synonyms <\/em>(words that mean the same). The book has simple explanations for the subtle <\/em>(small and not easy to see) differences between these words and how they’re used.<\/p>\n

14. Break Words Into Their Parts<\/h2>\n

\"English:<\/a><\/p>\n

Many English words can be broken down into smaller parts. For example, the word \u201cdictionary\u201d comes from the Latin word dictio<\/i>, which means \u201cto speak.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is called the root of the word. A root word is a base used to create many words. Now that you know the root word dictio,<\/em>\u00a0you might notice it in other words too, like dict<\/strong>ate,\u00a0dict<\/strong>ator and contradict<\/strong>. Even if you don\u2019t know what the words mean, you now know that they have something to do with speaking.<\/p>\n

Learning word parts is a great idea because you don\u2019t just learn one word, but other words that use these parts. You’ll also be<\/strong> better at guessing the meanings of new English words, because you’ll know what some parts of these words mean.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are more parts to words than roots. Along with roots, words use prefixes<\/strong> (word parts that come in the beginning of the word) and\u00a0suffixes<\/strong> (word parts that come at the end of a word). You can read more about English prefixes here and English suffixes here.<\/p>\n

Many dictionaries break down the word into these parts, and tell you where these parts are from. You can also read this book<\/a> by Sarah Retter, which is all about the root words of various English words. If you prefer an online resource, there’s also a list of word roots on LearnThatWord<\/a> and a more complete list that includes prefixes and suffixes on Macroevolution<\/a>.<\/p>\n

15. Take Quizzes<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

If you’re having trouble with flashcards, you know that memorization is simply not enough. You have to practice and apply what you\u2019ve learned\u2014in other words, \u201clearn by doing\u201d\u2014to truly remember the information.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the best ways to remember what you’ve learned is to quiz yourself. There are many websites where you can take English vocabulary quizzes. Some of them, like Sporcle<\/a>, are pretty fun, too!<\/p>\n

You can also get a book like “The Vocabulary Builder Workbook”<\/a>, which helps you remember over 1,400 new words. The book teaches you a handful of words at a time\u2014complete with simple definitions, example sentences and explanations on each word. Most importantly, you get a quick quiz afterward to remind yourself of the words you learned a while ago.<\/p>\n

16. Link Words to (English-speaking) Cultures<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

There are different kinds of English around the world<\/a>. For example, although people who speak British and American English can mostly understand each other, there are differences between them<\/a>. Remembering these differences can make new vocabulary seem more interesting and memorable to you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, the word “color” is spelled as \u201ccolou<\/strong>r\u201d in British English. (If you click on the audio, you’ll also notice that there’s a slight difference in pronunciation.)<\/p>\n

Also, British people used the words \u201cbrilliant\u201d (to refer to something that’s amazing or great) and \u201ccheers\u201d (to greet people<\/a>) often. On the other hand, Americans prefer to say \u201ccool\u201d instead of \u201cbrilliant\u201d and \u201csee you\u201d instead of \u201ccheers.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you’re traveling between the United Kingdom (which uses British English) and the United States (which uses American English), it might be helpful to keep a UK to USA dictionary<\/a> handy. You don’t want to confuse people by using “lift” instead of “elevator” in the U.S. (and vice versa <\/em>or the other way around).<\/p>\n

17. Study Words With Friends<\/h2>\n

\"wordreference\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You don’t only have to talk to native English speakers to learn. Picking up new vocabulary can be easier and more fun when you do it with other learners.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, you can visit a website that teaches you English<\/a> like the WordReference Forums<\/a>. Here, you’ll find hundreds of threads started by learners (just like you!) asking questions about word usage, grammar, idioms<\/a> and more. You can search for any topic by typing your question into the search bar. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, start a new thread of your own!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Learning new English words can be a fun part of your daily life. Just use the tips above on how to improve English vocabulary. You might not become a Memory Olympics competitor, but you’ll learn many new words without the frustration of flashcards.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Flashcards are great for remembering words you already know. But to actually learn a new word, you have to see it in a sentence, use it in your daily speech…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":152,"featured_media":251150,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"title":"How to Improve English Vocabulary Effectively | FluentU English Blog","description":"Don't know how to improve English vocabulary? There are a myriad (variety) of ways to do just that without going through the same old flashcards over and over again. In this post, we've got you covered with 17 tips to help new English words stick in your brain for as long as possible."},"footnotes":""},"categories":[685,686],"tags":[],"coauthors":[169],"class_list":["post-147897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english","category-how-to-learn-english"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/152"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=147897"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147897\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":252076,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/147897\/revisions\/252076"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/251150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=147897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=147897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=147897"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=147897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}