Vocabulary For Dummies

by Rozakis, Laurie E.

• ISBN13: 9780764553936
• ISBN10: 0764553933
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-12-15
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Someone just called you captious. Should you be flattered? Considering your extreme lactose intolerance, is it a good idea to order veau au bechamel from a French menu? Calumny is to slander as obloquy is to a) flattery, b) sermon, or c) invective? You've just heard that your new boss is a real martinet, should you be worried or excited about an attractive new addition to your workplace?Your boyfriend says you have no elan, is he telling you you're all out of yogurt? Starting to wish you'd paid more attention in English class? Don't worry, it's never too late to develop a million dollar vocabularyand Vocabulary For Dummies offers you a fast, fun and easy way to do it.Whether you're facing standardized tests, or you want to feel more knowledgeable at work or more comfortable in social situations, this book is for you. In no time you'll: Dramatically expand your vocabulary Speak with style Write with panache Make a better impression a work or school Dine out with confidence Have the right words for formal occasions and ethnic events Get more out of what you readVocabulary For Dummies doesn't overwhelm you with endless word lists. Instead, it gives you a complete vocabulary-building program that familiarizes you with words from all areas of life as they're used in contextfrom bar mitzvahs to business meetings, PCs to politicswith a host of fun features, including: Word tables organized by common features, such as language of origin, professional or social contexts, similarities, and more Sample conversations incorporate new terms and define related ones Before-and-After examples show how to replace old, general terms with new specific vocabulary Pointers reinforce understanding with examples of correct and incorrect usage Chapters on terms from finance, law, medicine, eating and shopping, history and mythology, various languages, and moreVocabulary For Dummies makes it easier than ever for you to get a handle on difficult words and get ahead at school, at work, and in life.

Author Biography

Laurie E. Rozakis, PhD, teaches English at the State University of New York, Farmingdale, and is the author of more than 100 books.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
Part I: Getting Your Bearings	7	(56)
Figuring Out How Words Work	9	(8)
Building Your Vocabulary	17	(20)
Picking Up Meaning	37	(14)
Using the Right Word	51	(12)
Part II: Mastering the Basics	63	(56)
Getting to the Root of the Matter	65	(16)
Starting Off with Prefixes	81	(20)
Ending Well: Suffixes	101	(18)
Part III: Expanding Your Base	119	(78)
Shading Meaning: Synonyms, Antonyms, Connotations, Denotations	121	(10)
Hear Your Homonyms and Homophones Here	131	(20)
Compounding Words	151	(16)
Romancing English: Words from French, Spanish, and Italian	167	(16)
Borrowing from the Neighbors: Words from Other Languages	183	(14)
Part IV: Getting Savvy with Vocabulary	197	(104)
Trying Your Skills on Standardized Tests	199	(16)
Taking Care of Business Vocabulary	215	(12)
Mutterings on Money Matters	227	(10)
Speaking Legalese	237	(14)
Doctoring Your Words: Medical Terms	251	(12)
Acquiring Shopping and Eating Languages	263	(10)
Expanding the Language: Recent Additions	273	(14)
Exploring Words from Real and Mythical People and Places	287	(14)
Part V: The Part of Tens	301	(20)
Don't Go There: Language to Avoid	303	(4)
Distinctions Worth Making	307	(8)
Ten Techniques for Nonnative Speakers	315	(6)
Index	321