Vocabulary For Dummies

Laurie E. Rozakis

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Year: 2011
• ISBN:
  9781118053799
• Edition: 1

Have an interest in words? From the meaning of prefixes and suffixes to word origins and trivia, this book can help you build your vocabulary

Someone just called you captious. Should you be flattered? Considering your extreme lactose intolerance, is it a good idea to order?veau au béchamel?from a French menu? Calumny is to slander as obloquy is to a) flattery, b) sermon, or c) invective? You've just heard that your new boss is a real martinet. Should you be worried or excited about this new addition to your workplace? Your partner says you have no élan; does that mean you're all out of yogurt? Starting to wish you'd paid more attention in English class? Don't worry, it's never too late to develop a million-dollar vocabulary—and? Vocabulary For Dummies ?offers you a fast, fun, and easy way to do it.

Whether you're preparing for standardized tests, or you want to feel more knowledgeable at work or more comfortable in social situations, this book is for you. In no time you'll:

• Dramatically expand your vocabulary
• Speak with style
• Write with panache
• Make a better impression at work or school
• Dine out with confidence
• Have the right words for formal occasions and ethnic events
• Get more out of what you read

Vocabulary For Dummies? doesn't overwhelm you with endless word lists. Instead, it gives you a complete vocabulary-building program that familiarizes you with words from all areas of life as they're used in context—from bar mitzvahs to business meetings, PCs to politics—with a host of fun features, including:

• Word tables organized by common features, such as language of origin, professional or social contexts, similarities, and more
• Sample conversations that incorporate new terms and define related ones
• Before-and-After examples that show how to replace old, general terms with new, specific vocabulary
• Pointers that reinforce understanding with examples of correct and incorrect usage
• Chapters on terms from finance, law, medicine, eating and shopping, history and mythology, various languages, and more

Vocabulary For Dummies ?makes it easier than ever for you to learn difficult words that impress your friends and coworkers. Grab your own copy and get ahead at school, at work, and in life.

Part I

Getting Your Bearings

In this part . . .

N avigating through a sea of new and unfamiliar words can be intimidating. But not to fear, the chapters here set you on the right path.

This is the practical part, where you pick up the tools you need to get the job done. In these chapters, I give you information on words in general and words as they relate specifically to you. I tell you where to find new words, how to figure out what they mean, how to say them, how to use them, and how to remember them.

So, grab your tools and dig in!

Chapter 1

Figuring Out How Words Work

In This Chapter

Understanding what a good vocabulary is and how it benefits you

A quick look at the structure of English words

Ways to build your vocabulary painlessly

A h, vocabulary. The definitions. The functions. The alternative spellings. The memories of Friday afternoon vocabulary tests or of clandestinely looking up dirty words when you were supposed to be studying the list your teacher gave you. When you get right down to it, who isn’t completely fascinated by the meaning, history, and current and past usage of words?

In two words: probably you. But there are two secrets that few English teachers let you in on:

Having a good vocabulary doesn’t mean you have to have a stilted vocabulary. It simply means you can communicate well with the group you’re in.

Building a good vocabulary is actually fairly easy. Forget the lists of words you got in school and the mind-numbing task of copying definitions. To build your vocabulary, you simply have to broaden your horizons and apply a few tricks.

Honest. This chapter gives you the basics.

Getting an Idea of a Good Vocabulary

During any typical day, you may be with your neighbors talking about things being good, with your colleagues talking about things being exemplary, and with your buddies talking about things being cool. If you use these words in the right way and at the right time, you show that you have a good command of vocabulary — you speak confidently and competently to the people you’re with.

That’s all a good vocabulary is. It isn’t about using big words, foreign words, or obscure words. It’s about using words to convey your meaning in the way you want. The trick is knowing what words are appropriate in a situation. The following list provides the general levels of English vocabulary (head to Chapter 4 for more info) along with situations in which the levels may be used:

Formal vocabulary: Formal vocabulary (or formal diction) has a very serious tone and uses specialized or elevated terms. You hear this type of vocabulary in ceremonial addresses like speeches (especially in days of yore), eulogies, and so on. You see it in such things as legal documents. You probably rarely, if ever, need to use formal English.

Standard English: Standard English is the type of vocabulary used in most businesses and schools; it conforms to the English grammar and usage rules. You use this type of vocabulary when you’re interviewing for a job, speaking with co-workers or customers, giving a presentation, or meeting your future in-laws for the first time. This is also the vocabulary you use when you write a paper or a report.

Everyday English: You use this kind of English when you’re talking informally to co-workers or gabbing with friends. It’s conversational and often uses slang.

Talkin’ the Talk

Adam and Alex run into each other in the break room and chat about their work. When their boss comes in, Adam demonstrates his ability to tailor his vocabulary to his audience and to the situation.

Adam:	Hey, how’s it goin’?
Alex:	Fine. Pluggin’ along on my presen-
	tation. How ‘bout you?
Adam:	Rotten. I gotta 3 p.m. deadline,
	and the project’s blowing up in my
	face. Max isn’t pullin’ his weight,
	and Delores doesn’t know what
	the heck she’s doing.
Sarah (Adam and Alex’s boss):	Hi, Adam, Alex.
Adam and Alex:	Hello.
Sarah (to Adam):	I wanted to talk about your pro-
	ject update. Do you have a few
	minutes?
Alex (to Sarah):	I was just heading back to my
	desk. [to Adam] Later.
Sarah:	I get the impression that you’re
	having a few problems.
Adam:	This project has presented some
	challenges.
Sarah:	Such as?
Adam:	My biggest dilemma has been
	finding ways to motivate individual
	team members. As it is, the bulk of
	the work is falling predominantly
	on a few. Another concern I have
	is providing the direction the team
	needs to be successful.

Reaping Vocabulary’s Rewards

Believe it or not (and you must believe it, or you wouldn’t have bought this book), having a good vocabulary is truly a good thing. It can help you move ahead, stay abreast, and fit right in:

Education: The fact of the matter is that ha...