Were you the kid who always did well at spelling bees in school? Or maybe you were the kid who actually read dictionaries to improve your vocabulary. If so, you’re a very smart person. People possessing a large vocabulary have a greater power of expressing themselves, better comprehension and a vivid imagination. In other words, the more words you know the better brain power you have plus with an added bonus of an improved memory.

But, maybe you weren’t that kid who loved learning new words. Maybe you were the one complaining about having to learn new vocabulary words and refused to study for them. Does this mean you are doomed to a mind that won’t work as well placing you at risk of cognitive decline? Fret no more. There are things one can do to boost their vocabulary helping to possibly ward off dementia. Besides, it really can be quite fun and interesting to learn more about the language you speak and to increase your ability to communicate well with others. Here are several ways to do this:

· Each day, read the newspaper – It doesn’t matter whether you are reading the Wall Street Journal or your local small town newspaper, the more words you expose yourself to every day, the better. If you come across a word you don’t recognize, highlight it and look it up.

· Open up your dictionary – This probably sounds very old-fashioned in this day and age of electronics, but grab the dictionary you have on your bookshelf, dust it off and open it up. Seriously, this can be fun. Once you begin scanning words, you’ll discover there are so many you’ve never seen. Be sure to read the definition and a whole new world and perspective will open up for you.

· Read, read, and read some more – There is probably no better way to learn new words than to simply read. Reading is one of the very best ways to improve your vocabulary upgrading your speech. Avid readers will pick up new words all the time. Simply having repeated exposure to a word through regular reading gives you a feel for how and when to use a word.

· Visit a vocabulary website – Yes, there really are such websites. Click on one and you’ll be amazed and challenged with a whole new world of new words, games, and quizzes. Better yet, sign up for a “word of the day” where you will have a new vocal word delivered to your inbox. Vocabulary websites to visit include m-w.com/game, vocabulary.com, and dictionary.com

· Hang around smart people – Anyone you know who is smart and has a broad vocabulary is someone to spend time with. Listen to them for new words you are not familiar with. Just hearing a person use unfamiliar words can help broaden your vocabulary introducing you to a wider range of words.

· Listen to shows featuring intelligent people – If you want to broaden not only your horizons but your vocabulary, listen to podcasts, Ted talks, television or radio talk shows showcasing people who very likely have a large vocabulary where you will pick up words you’ve never heard before.

· Use a new word learned in a sentence – Once you come across a new word and learn the meaning, write it into a sentence or fine a way to use it in a conversation. There is no better way to stamp this newfound word on your mind than to give it a spin.