Today, I tested the "Use It or Lose It" strategy by:
Choosing 3 new words from my reading (anathema, meticulous, interim).
Writing sentences for each:
"Cleaning my room is anathema to me, but I love organizing my bookshelf."
"My meticulous coworker color-codes all her files."
"Our interim manager will leave once the boss returns."
Using them in conversations with friends (e.g., "That movie was a travesty of the original book!").
Results:
✅ Worked well! Active usage helped me remember meanings.
📖 New words learned: Travesty (a distorted imitation), lethargic (sluggish).
Question for peers:
Which strategy do you find most effective for retaining new words?