to think there must be a way to add 100 words to my vocabulary

[MariaWaria]

I'd like to expand my vocabulary - this is very much for me and not out of any desire to impress or fit in. But how do I do this?

Have previously signed up for sites where you're emailed a word a day but the words were too obsure; just want to get more words into my vocabulary that I can draw on in general conversation but struggling to do this.

Would like to add 100 words, yet it's not as simple as picking 100 words from the dictionary.

AIBU to ask if there's a technique for doing this or if anyone has ideas?

If you read on a kindle or ipad kindle app, you can just put your finger on the word and the definition will come up. I do it all the time, even with words I'd used/known for years, just to check the definition and alternative meanings. So much easier than having to look it up in a dictionary. The other day, I was reading a book and found finger going to the page to check the word, before remembering that paperbacks don't have that function.

PhilODox now I know the meaning of esoteric

freerice.com seems worth a look Kockicoo - seems to be many levels.

sashh hadn't considered a kindle.

AuntieStella I've started to do that and it's proving helpful.

BattleCunt We all learn in different ways. Many of the suggestions above have been exceptionally helpful including those that have advocated reading.

You may not enjoy books as in novels, but reading can include newspapers and magazines. Just avoid the lowest common denominator type.
Or short stories. Or factual books. Good biographies, if you like. Even adult comics.

But you also need to use those words, which is why writing is a good exercise.

But, you'll find that people with the widest vocabularies are readers.

I think some versions of the kindle have a vocab feature, so anything you look up is stored and you can use Flashcards to test yourself on the definition.

If anyone found that article interesting and is a teacher (or just interested), I can’t recommend ‘Reading reconsidered’ enough.

Somewhat ironically I haven’t read the full thread as in a rush, but, no shame in wanting to do this OP!

When I was an English student I used to keep a notebook and every time I encountered a word I didn’t recognise, I wrote it in a list in the back, to be looked up when I had time later. The act of writing and revisiting really helped me remember it. These days it is so much easier with smart phones - instant lists and instant access to dictionaries & thesauruses online.

You honestly can’t beat reading, so my suggestion (and my revelation of 2017) would be audiobooks. Various subscription services are available but if you go to your local library and get a library card and a PIN, your library should be signed up to one of several audio/ebook apps (Overdrive, Hoopla, BorrowBox etc) and with one visit you can download audio and ebooks, for free, without actually needing to get back to the library to return books (they just go back digitally a few weeks later). AMAZING! the kids and I are all signed up and listening often, as well as reading (and more and more publishers are publishing audio editions simultaneous with print).

Have fun .

I haven't RTFT, but as an English teacher for forty years now, only reading does the trick.

Lists don't work, you need the context of the sentence, the paragraph, the chapter, the text.

My most enthusiastic contrafibularities on your decision OP

I haven't read the entire thread, so this may have been suggested.

What you're proposing is something I thought about a few years ago - I was more focussed on expanding my vernacular so your idea would fit into this quite easily.

Set yourself a challenge/new years resolution to learn two new words per week and document it in a blog. Each blog entry could be about the new word and the meaning of said word and how you've incorporated that word into a conversation and or email/text that week??

Sorry my suggestion was read more too- and to expand your range of reading.
In our home for example, saying I'm reading an article and come across a word I do not know. I will say 'doesn't anyone know what this word means?' And my phone (which I'm normally reading on) gets passed around. Either someone will say yes it's means X, or no one knows and we'll Google it.
But then we will read out the meaning, and play with a couple of sentences where the word can be used.
You will be surprised how easily the word then slips into your vocabulary after hearing it in context a few times.

Audio books - that's helped my DD1 who wan't much of a reader.

Though we also have Radio 4 on a lot and watch lots of documentaries and few period dramas.

Though Red from Overly Scarcastic Productions has kicked of an interest in her for more of the classics. Also got her a kindle fire which will read to her though bit mono tone though you can also buy audio readings on top with many kindle books now. The Extra History people have also started Extra Sci F which is looking at Sci-fi books and I hope will do similar for her.

Use a Thesaurus and replace words you use all the time with others...

Or
Recourse to a Thesaurus , then include neoteric content for humdrum minutia....

Exactly what is it about reading you don't like, OP? That's not a flippant question, I just wonder if it might tailor advice somewhat to know what exactly you're trying to avoid.

My most enthusiastic contrafibularities on your decision OP

Oh, just catching up - so pleased to see that so many people read the article!
Seconding (thirding, fourthing...) radio 4 and the World Service, I'm a big fan of the World Service.
Short stories are good if you struggle a bit with reading because they're not such a commitment as a novel. If you'd like, OP, I'd happily compile a list of short story collections/writers, but I'd want to do it properly so not today. Just as a springboard to help you start looking.

What a wonderful name Ms. Daylight has, ona!

The quiz website Sporcle has loads of vocabulary quizzes from easy to difficult. It really helped me to learn more words.

When you come across a new word you like try to use it a few times either in writing or conversation until it's embedded.

onalongsabbatical Oh, yes please! I'd definitely like to take up your generous offer of a compilation of suggetsed short story collections / writers when you have time.

Sporcle looks worthy of further investigation ShowMePotatoeSalad

Please join me MirriVan

Do the Guardian (non-Cryptic) crossword every day (you can access online) then do the Times jumbo on Saturdays (£1.50). Keep in doing them until you get good at them. This, along with reading, will expand your vocabulary without even trying.

Read. Doesn’t matter what - novels, non fiction, online newspaper, nature articles or something hat interests you. If someone is talking to you and uses a word you don’t know, ask them what it means! Most people will be happy to explain and then you can practice using the word a few times until it’s part of your working vocabulary

Of course there is one other option.

Be like shakespeare and just make up new words

Crosswords? One of the books that have the answers at the back might help.

MariaWaria fab, nothing gives me greater pleasure than talking about books! I will get on to it later or tomorrow.
PhilODox, yes, I thought that, too.
MirriVan thanks for your link, I'll print that out and read it when I'm home from holiday, it's not easy reading for on the laptop, which is what I'm on at the moment.
Literature and literacy are my passions.

Start a "Word of the Day" thread on here yourself MariaWaria.

Get a Thesaurus, often found in charity shops, and select words you think will be useful.
Get the thread going with a couple of sentences each day, I'm sure other posters would join in.