Vocabulary is the set of words a person knows and uses effectively. A strong vocabulary improves reading comprehension, writing clarity, and communication skills.
Context clues help determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. Synonym clues provide similar words nearby. Antonym clues use contrast. Definition clues explicitly define the word. Example clues give illustrations of the word's use.
Word roots, prefixes, and suffixes unlock meanings of complex words. The root 'spect' means 'to look' (inspect, spectator, respect). The prefix 'un-' means 'not' (unhappy, unable). The suffix '-tion' turns verbs into nouns (create → creation).
Word families share a common root: act, action, active, react, activity, activation. Learning word families is more efficient than memorizing individual words because one root unlocks many related words.
Spaced repetition — reviewing words at increasing intervals — is the most effective way to move vocabulary from short-term to long-term memory. Combine this with using new words in sentences to deepen understanding.