In elementary school, vocabulary words were most likely a much bigger part of your life than they are now. Much like hot lunch and recess, being introduced to and encouraged to use new words each week has disappeared from our lives almost completely as we’ve grown. However, I think vocab words should make a comeback.  

Recently, I have become bored with the way I talk. The English language contains hundreds of thousands of words, and I feel I am not using it to its full potential. Of the many words I could use to express something satisfying, I rotate between using “cool” and “’aight” on the daily. Using more diverse language is a fun way to add more color into your everyday life and ensure you’re not stuck saying the same thing on a loop. 

Learning new words and making an effort to use them can also help us to express ourselves more effectively. How often do you feel a specific way and cannot find the word to convey that feeling? Maybe you’re telling your advisor you’re stressed, but you really mean you feel frantic or frazzled. Why tell your roommate you had a “good” day when it was actually memorable, wonderful or adequate? Is that person “cute” or are they captivating, charming or radiant? Having vocabulary words on deck can help us bypass miscommunication and tell others exactly what we mean. 

Vocab words also help us appear more intelligent and professional. Imagine how impressive you would look in an interview if you whipped out words like “anomaly,” “fastidious” and “ephemeral.” I am more easily persuaded by people who use complex words to argue their point than simple language. Using impressive language in an essay can give an advantage on par with, or sometimes greater than, the development of your point itself. Building your vocabulary can open a surprising number of doors or supply leverage that wasn’t previously available. 

Finally, a well-developed lexicon makes your jokes better. It is much funnier to call someone a glutton instead of “greedy.” On a Saturday night, it is sillier to say you hear a “cacophony” in the distance instead of just a party. Humor comes from the element of surprise, and underused vocabulary words supply this well. 

There are many easy ways to improve your vocabulary that don’t involve carrying a thesaurus in your pocket everywhere you go. Merriam Webster has a “Word of the Day” podcast where you can be introduced to a new word and its meaning every day. Thesaurus.com is a great tool I have open every time I am writing. Finally, regular reading is the best way to be exposed to new words in their respective contexts. Vocabulary words should be our new obsession — they can change your life!