Some people have better vocabularies than others, but almost everyone could use a little improvement in that area. The purpose of having a good vocabulary is not simply to impress others. Having a good vocabulary also increases your communication skills and promotes proper thinking. Improving your vocabulary can actually be fun. There are many games that help improve vocabulary. Here are some suggestions:
Scratch
The number one game that comes to mind for most people when they think of words is the popular board game Scrabble. Playing Scrabble makes you use the vocabulary you already know and also improves your spelling. It will be of great help to you to play with people who have a good vocabulary, because you will learn more. Don’t worry if you don’t always win: the more you play, the better you’ll get. Don’t have a partner to play with? Scrabble can also be played online. If you want a fun variation, Upwords is another crossword type game that is similar to Scrabble.
Nonsense
Another board game that is a great option is Balderdash. Players are given unusual words and must try to guess their meaning or choose the correct meaning. Balderdash forces you to think about the word and what it could mean. It also involves “pooling your resources” with other people, which makes it even more fun and effective. It is very likely that you will not only learn new words but retain their meanings.
Crosswords
Another good way to increase your vocabulary is the good old-fashioned crossword puzzle. Crossword puzzles have been popular for many years and for good reason. They are so much fun and can be taken with you wherever you go. Any time you have to wait in line or at the doctor’s office, or even during lunch, that time can be used to work on your vocabulary skills. Keep going with the puzzle to the end, even if you don’t find many of the words. Once you’ve done your best, it’s okay to look in the dictionary or a thesaurus to help you find the remaining answers. The important thing is to learn new words.
online educational sites
There are quite a few prominent online sites that have free vocabulary games for all ages. Some of the best games to learn vocabulary are word analogies; find the suffix, prefix or root; Synonyms and antonyms; and puns. These games are fun because they give instant hints and feedback, which helps in the learning process. As you improve your scores, you will feel a sense of accomplishment. Online games are also convenient because no partner is needed.
These are just some of the games that can help you improve your vocabulary skills. Finding your favorites will make you want to play them over and over again, resulting in improved vocabulary and thinking skills in no time!
