We’ll keep doing case study vocabulary words to develop a small vocab list. This way, you’ll learn a new word, learn how I think about words, and develop some good habits for understanding how to use the word in your repertoire.

Step #1. Finding a New Word.

Now, unless you have stumbled upon a new word during conversation with a colleague or friend, check Dictionary.com. You can also keep a running list of words from books, TV, news, or any other source for inspiration.

Usually, I’ll look on Dictionary.com for inspiration. Dictionary.com has a Word of the Day that makes it easy to regularly build your vocabulary. Some words are more obscure than others but the main point I want you to make is to pick or identify words you would actually use.

Step #2. You’ve Found a Word. Now What?

Let’s take the word: Cupidity. Let’s break down what you should consider.

Step #3. How Functional Is This Word?

Ask yourself whether you will ever actually use the word. It’s fun to learn words that are big, complex, or intimidating, but the goal isn’t to have the most obscure language. That would make you stand out like a sore thumb even more. Instead, you want to grow your English communication skills to use words effectively and just like a native English speaker. What that means is you should aim for words you hear others use regularly but you do not use.

Sometimes those words are very specific to a field of interest or study. In this case, depending on the vocabulary level of someone I am speaking with, they may or may not know the word. It is a fairly universally-appropriate word that can be used in both a professional and personal setting. The main consideration, then, is whether the listener will understand.

In the case of the word CUPIDITY, it is a word to describe the greed, with the connotation of eagerness - an excited state of wanting more. Whereas greed and cupidity both express a desire or selfishness to possess something, the subtle connotation with cupidity is an excited state. It paints the picture of a child jumping for joy on a new video game console, or woman eagerly drooling over a new luxury handbag, despite having multiple already.

Greed is an ample descriptor and is a viable synonym of choice.

In this word’s case, I may decide against learning this word because it isn’t a needed word and greed is an adequate descriptor instead.

But, if you like having vocabulary to match the nuanced excited state, then add it to your list!

It’s important to recognize whether a word is useful to you. No one else can decide that for you though. It’s something that is important for you to think about for yourself. Maybe your workplace uses certain words regularly. Maybe you read a book and learned a word and that word just holds a lot personal meaning to you.

Although it’s weird to think about fun and preference of words, these subtle things can have immeasurable impact on your desire to learn and enjoy the language. And the more you can have fun on your language learning journey, the less it feels like a struggle.

Step #3. Figure Out How Many Syllables Long The Word Is.

For kyoo-pid-i-tee, it is 4 syllables long. Furthermore, the second syllable is bolded, identifying it as the primary stress.

Step #4. Considering the IPA For Pronunciation

The second syllable has the ‘, which signifies that the primary stress appears on the second syllable, confirming the bolded syllable. The IPA spelling also indicates a variety of vowels including [yu], [ɪ] as well as [i].

If you haven’t learned it before, look back on my IPA posts to figure out the symbols and respective pronunciations.

Step #5. Considering the Word Type And Use Cases.

Make sure you know what kind of word it is (in this case, a noun) as well as finding some use cases. You want to build multiple associations to your word map so you can understand similarities, differences and nuances between words.

In the case of cupidity, synonyms include greed, avarice, covetousness

Their cupidity for power blinded them to the needs of their constituents.
The CEO’s cupidity led to unethical business practices.

Step #6. Add It To a List For Review.

Now, you should create a word list for review. I’ve talked about Anki and Notion as options but regular review of your word list can help create better recall and use of the words.

Cupidity. Eager Greed.