One of the best, and easiest, ways to improve your vocabulary is by becoming an insatiable reader. The best thing about using reading to expand your vocabulary is that it works both ways: by developing a more extensive vocabulary, you’ll improve your ability to read quickly and with better comprehension, because you’ll know the words you’re reading and won’t have to either guess at meanings or stop to look things up. For example, did you know the exact definition of the word insatiable in the first sentence above, or did you skim over it and infer its meaning through context? While that’s a valid way to handle unknown or unfamiliar words, you’re running the risk of misunderstanding key points in the text if you always have to guess at meanings.
Reading introduces you to new words, and your vocabulary study techniques allow you to build on those words so you’re learning groups of them at one time. Take the word insatiable, and apply some of the study tips to it that we’ve discussed in previous posts on this site. A good place to start is with the word’s etymology, so you can find out more about the word. If you look up the roots of this word, you’ll see that it comes from the Latin root satiare (“to fill full”) with the prefix in- (“not”). Without even looking up the dictionary definition, you can put those two root words together to get the meaning “not filled full” – that is, not satisfied. “Insatiable” (pronounced ihn-SAY-shuh-bull) is an adjective usually paired with the words “hunger” or “desire” and used to describe the feeling of never having enough. If you’re an insatiable reader, it means you’re never tired of reading, and perhaps would rather be reading than doing anything else.
When you’re looking at the root word satiare you’ll probably notice that another word shares that root, the verb satiate (“to satisfy, to fill to completeness”). If you pair those words together in your mind, you’ll be able to learn them both – and you can add even more words to the group by including the related words satiation (noun: the state of being completely filled or satisfied) and satiated (adjective: completely satisfied, usually referring to being full of food).
To increase your exposure to as many words as possible, pick from a variety of sources and topics. Keep a notepad handy to jot down words you’re not sure of so you can look them up later and practice them. As your vocabulary and reading skills improve, you’re sure to be satisfied with your progress and achievements.
Cross-posted at The Vocabulary Builder’s Blog.
