Vocabulary For Dummies

Someone just called you captious. Should you be flattered? Considering your extreme lactose intolerance, is it a good idea to order veau au béchamel 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 élan, 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 vocabulary—and 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 read

Vocabulary 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 context—from bar mitzvahs to business meetings, PCs to politics—with 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 more

Vocabulary 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.

Hundreds of useful words, their meanings and tips Words don't come easy sometimes, but reading Vocabulary For Dummies will help you enhance vocabulary skills

There are more than 700,000 words in the English language but only 50,000-100,000 needed for average communication. Dummies is there to help you master the rest (or as many as possible). Covers not just the terminology but shows readers how to use vocabulary to effectively communicate to friends and business associates according to your own current interests and priorities. Vocabulary For Dummies is the friendly reference for improving your vocabulary, and this book shines among the other 3000 dry vocabulary tomes on the market.

It is organized to be used as a reference for common grammar questions, and is packed with the author's proven tips and tricks for remembering when and how to use a word. Effective written and oral communication is important to billions of people. And with the emergence of a global economy, standard American English has become the de facto international language for business. A command of vocabulary is essential to success, and this book will help you get there.

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