you DON'T understand the word... what do you do next?

Well, I don't usually come across words I don't understand at myLot (:P) but when I come across such kinds of mind-baffling obstacles, I will check it up online. Online dictionaries are free and quick (though they are not good for difficult words - I use the real dictionary for them) so why not exploit them to the fullest? ;-)

I also do find the meaning of words that not familiar with me... That's a good thing.. for us also to gain more knowledge and know more words... ^^

If I do not understand a word, it does not mean that I do not understand the discussion. Anyway if I am not sure in my knowledge, I do not comment the discussion. I use dictionary only for writing, usually.

It's always the dictionary, I also look up to it whenever I don't know the exact word I am reading. To know the meaning, it's similarities, and of course, to enrich my vocabularies!;) There were two words which I come across with and got curious to it, so I searched it on the net. The words were, "IDLE" and "FODDER". IDLE means, not working or active. While FODDER means, a coarse food for livestock or simply people who are readily available and of little value. The whole sentence was like this, "Idle minds are maggot fodders". Which means, inactive minds are simply food for maggots. This struck me, so now I try to make the best of what I can do..

Very good discussion maryanne =) When I come across words I can't recall hearing I do the same, especially when I'm reading poetry (some members of p&a) use words I've never even heard of so it's always good to pick 'em up and learn something new. ^ that example; it's always best when giving opinions to fully understand the content. Kudos, ~Joey

I go get the dictionary and lok it up.

try to understand it

I would usually look the word up (and maybe write it down in order to help remember it!) but I have to say that, since English is my mother-tongue, unknown words are not such a problem for me. I may be one of those people whose words you have to look up! MyLot (and other forums like it, such as AdviseOrAnswers: http://www.adviseoranswers.com/index.php?action=affiliate&memberName=Owlwings) are not bad places to help with learning English as long as you are willing to learn. I see that you are from Davao City in the Philippines. I believe that English is taught very well there (I have a friend from there) but that the English tenses can be difficult for Tagalog speakers! Keep the dictionary (and a notebook) handy and enjoy MyLotting and improving your English!

I will either grab my dictionary or research the word online before hand. This site is great as I've learned some new words already in my short time here. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~

There are to many words in any language.. it is normal to not understand one or other specially in a different language. If I'm not really sure of the meaning of one word I try to re-read it in the context. Often it's easier to understand what it means that way. If I still have trouble with the word after I just get a dictionary and look it up. I prefer not to comment on something if I am not sure what it means so I think the best idea is to check it out first.

If it is just a word, it does not bother me much if I can to understand what the topic is about. I too try to understand the discussion from the elaboration as soemetimes, the topic and the details do not match. If I still do not get what is the poster talking about, I will give it a miss. If there are too many unfamiliar words, I do look up at dictionary.com (I do my responses with this dictionary on though)

Hi maryannemax, I have come across many times words that aren't familiar to me or to deep to understand. I usually look up in the dictionary to get the meaning. Even then I sometimes find it quite difficult to understand. I guess it is because English is not my first language. Anyway, being mylot member do increases my vocabulary. I tend to use the dictionary more often now.

I would try to understand the word from the sentence first. Sometimes you can roughly know what the word is about by reading the sentence. If that doesn't work, I would look up for online dictionary for the meaning of the word. Sometimes, I would use Thesaurus feature in Microsoft Word for alternative word to get the meaning for quick checking.

In my case anne I check on the context on how it was used and try to fill it in with a similar word if it makes sense then I think I found the meaning. But I applied that years ago and not anymore...not to boast that I have a good vocabulary or anything but now a days if I encounter a new word it helps by just plainly asking like when someone used an unfamiliar word in the elevator...I asked him there and there what it meant...Unbelieveable he didnt even know its like a syndrome with Filipinos to sound cool they even use words they dont know therefore making a fool of themselves right? hahah But your english is good its very sound and stable believe me its better to stay basic rather than risking it and looking like a fool speaking gibberish.

I keep three dictionaries on my table. One is English-English where the meaning of English words given in English. The second one has meaning of English words in my language and the third one for proper English words for words in my language. My English vocabulary is too poor and at times I have to check for the meaning of words which are not familiar to me. Also I use dictionary to get the appropriate English word for a word in my language.

I always check the word on dictionary.com, as I like learning new words and would rather not pretend to know the word if I can look it up so easily.

mylot is a great opportunity to improve one's English..so I think it silly to pretend of understanding everything..if English is not our first language, well we are supposed not to know everything well and then..there are two good things to do...either asking for explanations to the person who posted the discussion or looking into a dictionary the words we don't understand..we will be left with a better knowledge and will surely enjoy our conversations!!!

I don't remember looking on dictionary.com for unfamiliar words, i come across when reading discussions but i look on it(dictionary.com)for words that i think it exists but not very sure of their spellings and exact meanings while writing/replying to posts.

Hello there, many times I read things and I'm stuck on a word that I don't know, there's nothing wrong with that. What I do is I write down the word and look it up in a dictionary at a later date. While taking part in conversations. I always listened very carefully before adding my two cents, and if the topic is out of my league. I have no problems with just listening. Just remember that faking to understand something is not the best way out, just be honest and do what I do. Just tell them to speak English, or I should say plain English.

I usually gusee.Most of the time,I would get to know the more or less correct meaning that the author want to express. If an important strange word come to me, I would have to look it up in my dictionary Kingsoft Powerword. That's a good friend to me.