How to Remember Words Without Forgetting Them

Building a strong vocabulary is crucial for learning English, but many learners struggle to retain new words. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry! Here are five actionable steps you can take today to remember words more effectively and use them confidently.

1. Use the Words in Real Life

It’s not enough to memorize words—you need to use them. The more you integrate new words into your daily conversations, the easier they are to remember.

Actionable Tip:

• Write 3 sentences using a new word you learned today.

• Try to use that word in a conversation or write it in an email.

  
  

Examples

Word: EssentialSentences:

1. Water is essential for life.

2. It’s essential to review vocabulary every day.

3. What’s the most essential item in your bag?

2. Create Word Associations

Link the new word to something you already know. This could be a sound, an image, or a similar word in your native language.

Actionable Tip:

• Associate words with images or stories.

• Use apps like Anki to create flashcards with pictures.

Examples

Word: Serene (calm, peaceful)Association: Imagine a peaceful lake with no noise.

3. Group Words by Topic

Organizing words into themes makes them easier to remember. For example, learning all the words related to "travel" together is more effective than random words.

Actionable Tip:

• Write down 10 words about a topic you love (e.g., sports, food, business).

• Review them in groups, not individually.

Examples

Topic: Travel

Words: luggage, passport, itinerary, ticket, destination.

4. Review Consistently

Repetition is the key to long-term memory. Use a spaced repetition system to review words at intervals—starting frequently and gradually spacing out as you remember them better.

Actionable Tip:

• Review words daily for the first week, then every two days, then weekly.

• Use apps like Quizlet or Memorize for spaced repetition.

5. Practice Active Recall

Instead of passively reading words, test yourself. For example, look at a definition and try to recall the word, or think of sentences without looking at your notes.

Actionable Tip:

• Write the definition of a word and leave the word blank. Try to recall it later.

• Challenge yourself by explaining the word to someone else.

  
  

Example:

Definition: An adjective meaning calm or peaceful.

Answer: Serene

Final Thought

The secret to remembering words is practice, association, and review. Start small—focus on 5 words a day. With consistency, your vocabulary will grow, and you’ll retain words much longer.

What are your favorite ways to remember new words? Let us know in the comments!