Do you look for the meanings of new words in dictionary ?

India
May 1, 2007 9:30am CST
hey friends i dont know about you but i am not having a very gud english .There are no of times that whenever i am reading some article on net or reading newspaper or even while watching movie i encounter no of words the meaning of which is not unknown to me .When i am on comp i do care of looking for such words in dictionary which i am having on my pc .but when reading some book or magazine i very rarely take courage to go and pick my pocket dictionary and just ignore the word . what do u do .DO u just ignore the word and carry on or you always try to learn abt the meaning of the word .I really want to know how can i improve my english .
14 people like this
45 responses
@paidreader (5143)
• United States
1 May 07
Hi er_gagandeep. When I was very young, my grandmother would make me look up the words I didn't know or couldn't pronounce. While I thought it was a chore (in 5th & 6th grade) I have learned that, over time, you don't have to look things up as often because you're learning the words as you go. By skipping over them, you'll remain unclear on their meaning or usage and struggle with them again the next time. Now, even at the age of 40, I still have at least 4 dictionaries on hand and use them at least a few times a week, just to be sure I'm using the proper words or that I've spelled something correctly. My 3 little paperback ones work well for most things, but occasionally I'll have to bring out the big dictionary if it's not a word that's used alot. :)
2 people like this
• India
1 May 07
thats really nice .but the scenario is some wat different here in india .it depends on ur mother tongue also .but i really like ur way of thinking .and at age of 40 u still have 3 dictionaries.gud keep it up.congrats for ur 1000th post in advance
2 people like this
• United States
1 May 07
Thank you! :) Having to use multiple languages would be more difficult. I know the variations in certain languages can make things very difficult if you don't look them up. :)
1 person likes this
• Philippines
1 May 07
yes, paidreader, that's how it is with me, too. i have various dictionaries with me. to think that this is already unnecessary at present times because, the computer has a feature of a dictionary. well, just like you, er_gagandeep, english is also a second language in our country and we have to learn more about it from day to day. good luck and may the day come when you will be happy in your knowledge about the english language.
1 person likes this
• India
1 May 07
Hi gagandeep.I indeed look up on the dictionary for the meaning.They give you the exact meaning.They also tell you various other meanings for the word.You can also find the adjective,pronunciation,other related words and many more.So by looking for the meaning you actually learn many other things.Its always better to use the dictionary.
2 people like this
• Philippines
1 May 07
i have made it a habit to know each new word that i encounter. i have always had with me the biggest dictionary that i can buy from the bookstore although, the computers have dictionaries already in them. if i will not learn what the word means, i will never be able to make use of it properly in the days to come.
@7800809 (90)
• Malaysia
1 May 07
Yes, sometimes i look for the meanings of new words in dictionary! Sometimes i just guess what the meaning of that word only!After i joint mylot , i always use my dictionary!
1 person likes this
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
1 May 07
Yes I do use dictionary when I read or heard some new vocabulary that I did not know. And when I'm in Mylot also I'm not good in English thats why I have 2 dictionary at my side one from our own dialect that is filipino and one english to translate my own words.
• Romania
1 May 07
yes of course...that is the best way to be sure of the meaning of new words..but I also look in online dictionaryes .
1 person likes this
• Philippines
2 May 07
I like encountering new words every now and then, remembering to look them up is another story though. I don't always have a dictionary with me so I sometimes just let the new word slip by me but it does bother me a lot when that happens. I feel like I should have added a new word in my vocabulary. I'm a frequent visitor of dictionary.com when I'm online because it's so easy to look up the meaning of words via the net. I used to own a Treo (before a wayward power current destroyed it) and I had Oxford for mobiles installed. It sure was handy because I might not have a dictionary with me all the time but I did have my phone with me all the time. Ahhh, those were the days.
• Philippines
1 May 07
Hi Er! For me, when I'm reading a magazine or a newspaper and come across an unknown word. And if it really bugs me to know the full meaning of the sentence I am reading. I'll go an search for my good old dictionary. I find my reading enjoyable if I know the true context of the word used. And why the author used it, especially for its impact and intensity. (^^,)
@rubiana6 (270)
• Brazil
2 May 07
yes, i do. every time i see a word i dont know, i look in the dictionary. I try to improve my languages, english, portuguese and german, every day, and looking for unknown words in the dictionary is a good way to do so.
@Zerzis (557)
• India
2 May 07
No, you should never ignore any unknown words, if u look out into the dictionary then only you can increase your vocabulary in fast way, and you can remember words for long. Next time you see the word you will immediately rememebr the last time when u saw it and you will be able to decrypt, understand the meaning.. never ignore unknown words.
@munhozmib (3836)
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
1 May 07
It depends on the word. Sometimes, I go to the Dictionary to look what does it means. Sometimes, I can understand by the context. And sometimes, I cannot understand, but even though I don't go to the dictionary. I usually search for the meaning of words that are often used. Some words are not really used, so I think I don't really need to go there and look.
1 person likes this
@tyuepsc (189)
• China
2 May 07
Yeah, looking for the meaning of new words in dictionary is a effective way to improve your English.I am also not a native English speaker, when I come across lots of long and unfamiliar words, I do go for my dictionary.In my two weeks in mylot, I have learned many new words here, which is impossible to memory so clearly if reciting deliberately. I think a electrical dictionary may be a better choice for you.
• India
2 May 07
Dear gagandeep, Though I don't have any problem in English yet I often land into the jugglary of words b'coz language is just like the ocean. So I usually use my smart phone's dictionary that helps me a lot. If u have got the smart phone like nokia N70 or other, u can upload a dictionary in it & it is going to be very helpful.
• India
2 May 07
ya man that is also a very gud idea where u can just install a dictionary in ur mobile and mobile is one thing which is always there by ur side in ur pocket so u dont have to actually get up and pick ur dictionary and then search for words
@mik0930 (371)
• Philippines
2 May 07
Yes, I look the definition of new words in an online dictionary. I guess you are not a native English speaker like me. I recommend you to maintain an English blog, read more and try to use context clues. After guessing the meaning through the context clues, try to validate to a dictionary the actual meaning of the word. Just try to speak, write and read English (take it seriously) and in no time you can improve your English reading/writing/speaking skills.
@bindishah (2062)
• India
2 May 07
My english is quite good - the reason for this is Ive always had a passion for reading from a young age. And whenever id come across words i didnt understand id look them up in the dictionary or ask someone the meaning. This helped me develop a very good vocabulary. There are many online sites which will provide you with easy to understand meanings.
@Gwapako_28 (2140)
• Philippines
2 May 07
Nah, i do also.And i love doing it.I want to learn a lot.I buy small dictionary where i can scan everytime i encounter new words which i dont know the meaning. Here in the office, i always check and keep the encarta open so i can read every word i encounter which is not familiar to me.
@denden (802)
• Philippines
2 May 07
I do look for the meanings of new words in a dictionary,actually i do bring my dictionary every time i go to school for emergency and if i have my vacant time i will read it.Since i am a student it is important to have a dictionary with me thats why i keep bringing my dictionary.
@deepti15 (1190)
• India
2 May 07
Well, I love to know new words and improve my vocabulary. I would sometimes go up and refer to a dictionary or to a thesauraus for meanings or options. Infact, I just go to Microsoft-Word, use the dictionary present there, as it is easier, quicker and I can even see the antonyms of the word with the synonyms also. If you want to really improve your linguistic skill, then I would suggest you to read the english news papers or english dailys or you can even read english novels. That way, you can improve niot only your vocabulary but also your reading, writing skills, communications and also confidence level in language. Best of luck
@luwiss (1)
• Brazil
2 May 07
I think u can do two things to improve your english. First: Dont be lazy.or... Second: Say loud: IAM LAZY!And buy 25 dictionarys and spread around your house.
• India
2 May 07
I really like to know new words and then use in my language. I mostly like to use words which would replace writing of entire sentences. Yes really there are words of phrases which when used would replace big sentences. In this way you can deliver your message in less time and less space. It is very cool to have so many great words in English. I really like surfing my dictionary for great words. I have a Webster's dictionary and also a big dictionary of Oxford. These dictionary also give you a great idea about the different phrases and also how to use those phrases in your conversation. Searching for new words and then using them in your language will not only bring you great impression on people with whom you are conversing but also you bring you fame and fortune. This place also gives preference to those people who use great vocabulary and those who maintain highest level of grammar. I really like those people who use good grammar and vocabulary in their messages and posts. I really promote users who use phrases and famous quotes in their discussions and posts. I would advice to keep a dictionary nearby you every time you post your messages. It would be better if you would use phrases to depict your language.