Your vocabulary is all of the words you know. It includes the words you understand, the words you recognize and the words you use.

Why is it important to build your vocabulary?

• It helps you enjoy reading more

• You understand more of what you read and what you hear

• You feel better or more confident when you meet other people

• It helps you pass those “dog-gone” tests

How can I build my vocabulary?

• Use context clues. In other words, look at how the word is used in a sentence to get a clue to its meaning.

• Use a dictionary or a thesaurus. If you’re reading or listening and don’t know the meaning of a word, look it up.

On the Web, visit the Voycabulary Web site. This site allows you to put in a URL, choose the action you want (i.e: what dictionary you want to use) and then click on “process” and it will bring up the Web site with every single word linked to a dictionary! Go to www.voycabulary.com.

• Use word roots, prefixes and suffixes. Use the way a word is put together to help you figure it out its meaning.

• Group words that have the same root. Also, group words using synonyms and antonyms.

Help in Building a Better Vocabulary

Using the Right Tools

Prefixes

Online Resources