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Bashyboy Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Increasing One's Vocabulary
Hello everyone,
It make it a point to learn at least three new words a week. However, this is proving more difficult than I had anticipated. This difficulty mostly arises from the fact that such websites as dictionary.com provide inordinately long definitions.
To combat this difficulty, I have tried to shorten the definitions as much as possible, but I fear that by doing this I am removing the true meaning of the word, or leaving out essential ideas that those inordinately long definitions have.
I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions. For instance, does anyone know of a good concise dictionary (whether digital or physical)? Any other suggests are most welcome.
It make it a point to learn at least three new words a week. However, this is proving more difficult than I had anticipated. This difficulty mostly arises from the fact that such websites as dictionary.com provide inordinately long definitions.
To combat this difficulty, I have tried to shorten the definitions as much as possible, but I fear that by doing this I am removing the true meaning of the word, or leaving out essential ideas that those inordinately long definitions have.
I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions. For instance, does anyone know of a good concise dictionary (whether digital or physical)? Any other suggests are most welcome.
Top answer
Hello Bashyboy, I have my students do exactly what you do (and I do it myself for expanding my English vocabulary). That is, to shorten the definition as much as possible. I believe it's easier to remember this way, and even if you did try to remember the longer version, there are usually a few entries that you must remember and the word can change depending on contexts, collocations etc.
- Hello Bashyboy, I have my students do exactly what you do (and I do it myself for expanding my English vocabulary).
- That is, to shorten the definition as much as possible.
- I believe it's easier to remember this way, and even if you did try to remember the longer version, there are usually a few entries that you must remember and the word can change depending on contexts, collocations etc.
- So I think learning the way you do is a good approach.
- Over time, your knowledge of these words will increase anyway as you see them in writing and hear them in speech.
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3 Answers
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Hello Bashyboy,
I have my students do exactly what you do (and I do it myself for expanding my English vocabulary). That is, to shorten the definition as much as possible.
I believe it's easier to remember this way, and even if you did try to remember the longer version, there are usually a few entries that you must remember and the word can change depending on contexts, collocat
I have my students do exactly what you do (and I do it myself for expanding my English vocabulary). That is, to shorten the definition as much as possible.
I believe it's easier to remember this way, and even if you did try to remember the longer version, there are usually a few entries that you must remember and the word can change depending on contexts, collocat
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Well, that is certainly reassuring that someone else uses this same method. The problem that I am having is minimizing the length of the definitions without sacrificing on the meaning. The reason why I am looking for a good concise dictionary is that the definition will already be minimized, and so I don't have to worry about if I minimized it optimally.
So, do you have any good concise d
So, do you have any good concise d
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I often use Cambridge Dictionaries Online: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
You have various dictionaries to choose from in the drop-down menu next to the search button. Choose either Learner's Dictionary or Essential British English Dictionary. The definitions used in these dictionaries are complete but at the
You have various dictionaries to choose from in the drop-down menu next to the search button. Choose either Learner's Dictionary or Essential British English Dictionary. The definitions used in these dictionaries are complete but at the
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