Student: Sure, of course.Teacher: Good. Define it.Student: Okay. A formidable opponent is someone...Here, the student is starting to give an example of how to use the word in a sentence rather
than actually defining it, which is a common response to being asked to define a word.
Moreover, formidable is an interesting case because it is often thought to mean skillful or
challenging, as in a formidable opponent. The true definition of formidable, however, is
“causing fear or dread”; it can also mean “awe-inspiring.”
The point is that context can be misleading, particularly when you rely exclusively on context to
supply you with the meanings of new words. You may hit upon a meaning that seems to fit the
context only to discover later that your guess was far wide of the mark. To keep this from
happening, use a dictionary.
Define It in Your Own Words
To understand a word completely and make it yours, try to define it in your own words. Don’t
settle for the dictionary definition. For that matter, don’t settle for our definition. Make up your
own definition. You’ll understand the meaning better. What’s more, you’ll be more likely to
remember it.
Use the Method That Works Best for You
Different study strategies work better for different people. What works for your friend may not
work for you, and vice versa. The key is to find an approach that helps you remember the
meanings of new words permanently and incorporate them into your everyday vocabulary.
In all likelihood, as you worked through this book you probably had to tailor your approach to fit
your own personal learning style. You may have even found that one strategy worked for
learning certain words, while an entirely different strategy was better for learning other words.
That’s all totally fine. Use the one or ones that suit you best.
Write It Down
Many people find that they can learn new information more readily if they write it down. The
physical act of writing seems to plant the information more firmly in your mind. Perhaps the
explanation is that by writing you are bringing another sense into play. (You’ve seen the word,
you’ve said and heard the word, and now you’re feeling the word by writing it down.)
You may find it useful to spend some time writing down phrases or sentences incorporating
each new word you learn. This is a good way to practice and strengthen your spelling as well.
And don’t stop at the word and its definition—also write down any effective mnemonics or
mental images you come up with to help you remember it. You may also want to write down the