Nowadays, being an outstanding communicator is the key that opens virtually every door. This goes to show the importance of developing a rich, varied vocabulary. While people often think it’s useful only for accomplished writers, public speakers, or translators, in reality, knowledge of the English lexicon can open up a world of possibilities for you both personally and professionally.

In that spirit, let’s explore some of the ways you stand to benefit from expanding your vocabulary.

Comprehension

First and foremost, growing your word repertoire allows you to fill those gaps that may hinder your comprehension, in any given context. Whether you’re reading a piece of literature, watching the news, or attending a conference, you’re bound to come across certain terms that you don’t know. This is absolutely normal. Now, with commitment and regular practice, you will enable yourself to address any comprehension shortcomings.

Fluency

In a similar vein, a wide vocabulary works to compliment your literacy. It’s true, you may not need as much linguistic knowledge as a best-selling author who writes for a living but familiarizing yourself with the wealth of the English lexicon will equip you with a skillful, effective language. With time and effort, you’ll have less difficulty understanding certain structures, expressions, or turns of phrases.

Expression

The ability to express yourself concisely and without ambiguity is an invaluable asset in the modern world. Unfortunately, too many people confuse vocabulary acquisition by using pompous, inflated language haphazardly. In truth, even if you’ve memorized the entire dictionary, this will serve you no good if you don’t understand that proper expression entails choosing your words carefully and accurately, without feeling the need to show off at every line.

Communication

Not only will a vast vocabulary allow you to express yourself better, but it will also facilitate everyday communication and help you adjust your style based on your interlocutor or audience. You wouldn’t address your best friend in the same way you would your boss, would you? As such, learning new words makes it possible to curate your expression for optimal communication. This can be achieved through fun activities like playing Scrabble with your family on game nights. You can find more help with this learning strategy by consulting an online tool that unscrambles your letters, providing you with the highest-scoring entries. Such tools will allow you to discover new words and win at the same time!

Eloquence

Eloquence is one of those things your English high school teacher would’ve killed to see you acquire. Now, if your goal is to speak and write effectively and powerfully, one of the best things you can do is grow your vocabulary. Subscribe to your newspaper or magazine of choice, visit your local library, or ask for recommendations to find the kind of literature that will help you develop an interest in language.

Persuasiveness

Likewise, people who communicate well are generally very charismatic; you want to listen to what they have to say, they inspire respect, and they’re often very persuasive. This goes to show that having strong knowledge of your language, along with the basic tenets of rhetoric, will make you a more learned and interesting person than you already are. In that regard, watching TedTalks is another superb way to acquaint yourself with how to speak with great confidence and ease.

Erudition

Expanding your vocabulary isn’t an end in itself; instead, think of it as a tool that will allow you to explore new fields, understand new phenomena, and ultimately, cultivate your knowledge about the world and what interests you the most. People who make it a point to add new words to their repertoires are curious and go to great lengths to pursue their thirst for knowledge.

New Opportunities

A rich vocabulary can make you stand out in very positive ways. For instance, impeccable communication can make up for your lack of experience in a particular domain during a job interview, which may help you land the job. In social settings, people who express themselves effortlessly and mobilize their knowledge to communicate well are also very appreciated and look up to. Therefore, you never know where growing your word repertoire will take you!

There are a thousand and one reasons why enriching your vocabulary can and will have positive repercussions on your life. From your social skills to your professional success, you stand to grow into a more accomplished individual when you commit to working on your language abilities. Lastly, if you don’t know where to begin, perhaps keeping a word journal (physical or virtual) could be a marvelous first step in your journey towards self-betterment!