Learn One English Word a Day

english words
Austin, Texas
December 20, 2017 11:28am CST
I know there are many at the site who don't speak English as their first language and they use this site to learn. Learning another language often feels like an impossible feat to accomplish. But I have found various methods that are quite effective. One such method is the “Word a Day” method. Just get on a mailing list or follow a blog that publishes a word each day and you will be surprised at how quickly you learn. This particular site I am recommending because I speak English and it helps me. Surely it will help you too! Below is an example of a STANDS4 Word of the Day. (It's the same site where I got the word "cereology" from. ) Today's word: anfractuous æn'fræk t?u ?s anfractuous (adj) full of twists and turns "anfractuous cliffs" anfractuous (Adjective) sinuous, twisty, winding. anfractuous (Adjective) craggy, rugged, coarse, rough, uneven. Origin: anfractuosus, from anfractus.
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4 people like this
5 responses
@LadyDuck (457314)
• Switzerland
21 Dec 17
English is not my native language, but I learnt Latin at school, all the listed words come from Latin, very easy to understand for me.
1 person likes this
• Austin, Texas
22 Dec 17
I had a choice between taking French or Latin in high school. I took French. No regrets. But I do realize the importance of knowing Latin.
1 person likes this
• Austin, Texas
23 Dec 17
@LadyDuck - Looking back now I wish a minimum of 2 years of Latin would have been required. A year of Greek would have been good too!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (457314)
• Switzerland
23 Dec 17
@cmoneyspinner I took English, French and Latin, French comes from Latin. Latin was mandatory in Italy when I was a student, you could not decide not to take it. I was lucky enough that I was able to skip ancient Greek, my father also had that one.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35621)
• Canada
20 Dec 17
That sounds fun.. Does it explain to the non English speaker that they are unlikely to ever meet a person who regognizes that word? I should subscribe to a site like that for Spanish, or French or Portuguese.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69416)
• Germany
20 Dec 17
Don't! You'll be seen as ridiculous and maybe even as arrogant if you pepper your speech with words not even native speakers use or know.
2 people like this
• Austin, Texas
20 Dec 17
What I like about the site is that it supplies the word origin information. But like I said I already speak English so I would know about common usage. This site is just a suggestion because I get it in my eMail. There are loads of sites on the web. So if this one is not suitable, it's easy to find one that will help you learn. On Tumblr, they have a word a day blog for French and for Latin. I'm sure you could find a site for other languages. The point is, a word a day is an easy way to learn a language.
1 person likes this
@Angela150 (928)
• London, England
20 Dec 17
Interesting, I might subscribe to a word a day blog.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69416)
• Germany
20 Dec 17
I used to subscribe to this site but have unsubscribed. The words they explain there are too rare. Tell me how often in your life you've used 'anfractuous'! I bet people would stare at you if you did. It's much better to read English books and learn words in context.
1 person likes this
• Austin, Texas
20 Dec 17
Never! But I've always had this fantasy about being on the Jeopardy TV show and being the only one who knew the right answer! So I collect oddball facts and words, etc. There's also another show called "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Of course, I won't be on any of those shows. It's just a fantasy.
@JudyEv (325264)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec 17
I'm afraid I agree with @MALUSE. If English is not your first language there are other words that would be of more use. Even an English speaker would be unlikely to understand someone if they used 'anfractuous'.
1 person likes this