VOCABULARY What Is Vocabulary? Vocabulary refers to a collection of words. Examples: Our English vocabulary developed in a variety of ways: • Names of people and places provide some English words. Rudolf Diesel invented an engine that is named after him. • The first letters of words, called acronyms, provide new words for our language. The acronym CD comes from the words compact and disc. • Shortened words provide some new English words. The word hamburger provides the shortened word burger. • Some new words, called echoic words, are derived from imitating sounds. Buzz was derived from the sound of a fly. • A student can expand his/her vocabulary by using context clues. • A student can also add new words to his/her vocabulary by analyzing the meanings of affixes. • The denotation of a word is its definition, while its connotation is the emotional feeling associated with the word. Try This! 1] Adolphe Sax invented a/an _____ that is named after him. a] carnival ride b] musical instrument c] engine d] food 2] Figure out the meaning of the word in bold print by using context clues. Gerald was so fatigued after his two-mile swim that he could barely drag himself out of the lake. a] awake b] alert c] peppy d] tired © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.