Use a dictionary to improve your vocabulary

We usually refer to a dictionary to find out the meaning of a word. 

Let’s consider the word opportunity.

To search for its definition we can go to an online dictionary. When we are there, we check how it is pronounced (both UK and US).

But there is more to discover. 

You have a group of friends that you prefer spending time with. Words feel the same way. They like to be around familiar words that they know. When words do this, we call it collocation.  

How many words do you know that collocate with the word opportunity? 

Here is a screenshot from the Cambridge Dictionary.  Can you spot the collocations?

There are three collocations here:

unique opportunity to

missed the opportunity to

at the earliest opportunity

There are more such collocations on the page:

have an opportunity

at every opportunity

a golden opportunity

By spending just a few minutes reading these collocation, you enrich your word bank–allowing you to express yourself with greater precision. Your language gains more flexibility. You widen your range of vocabulary. 

This is a goldmine–expanding your vocabulary could not be easier.  Would you agree?

At the earliest opportunity, use one of the collocations. 

How many collocations can you think of with the word risk?