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How Do I Improve My Biology Vocabulary?

G. Wiesen
G. Wiesen

There are a number of different ways in which you can improve your biology vocabulary, such as attending a biology class and reading books or magazines about biology. Classroom settings are often one of the best places for expanding your knowledge regarding biology, especially since teachers can help answer any questions you may have. You can also read books and magazines about biology; you should consider magazines or journals that are scholarly and peer-reviewed to ensure the accuracy of what you are reading. There are also a number of websites and online resources you can use to improve your biology vocabulary.

Biology vocabulary typically indicates a person’s ability to recognize and understand words commonly used to discuss subjects within biology. One of the best ways you can improve this vocabulary is by attending a class about biology, especially a college or university class. These classes can be fairly challenging, however, so you may end up covering far more material than you were initially interested in. Such classes can certainly expand upon and improve your biology vocabulary through the lessons taught in class, studying you may do outside of class, and access to a knowledgeable instructor who can help you with any questions.

Woman standing behind a stack of books
Woman standing behind a stack of books

You might also consider reading books about biology or subscribing to scientific publications to help you improve your biology vocabulary. There are numerous books written by experts and researchers in the field of biology, usually focusing on a particular aspect of the field itself. You can also find a number of publications about various scientific subjects, both general and with a focus on biology. As you choose a publication to help you expand you biology vocabulary, however, you should look for a periodical that is scholarly in nature and peer-reviewed, as this can help ensure biology terms are used properly.

A number of Internet websites and resources can also be found and used to improve your biology vocabulary. There are numerous free dictionaries online you can use to look up new words and learn their meanings, including scientific dictionaries with a focus on words such as those used in biology discussions. You can also find chat rooms or forums about science in which you can discuss ideas with people also interested in biology. This type of virtual environment can help expand your biology vocabulary by introducing you to new words and ideas you might not otherwise encounter.

Discussion Comments

irontoenail

@croydon - I think that really is the best way to increase your vocab. Not just read that book, but to read widely about biology in general.

New Scientist is a good read and there are hundreds of really interesting, down to earth science books available if you have a look at the library.

If you keep a biology dictionary handy and look words up whenever you don't understand them you will quickly build up your knowledge.

But if you just try to repeat a bunch of words by rote... well, I think you will learn them temporarily, but in the long run you might not remember them as well.

croydon

The best book I can recommend to you if you want to improve your modern biology vocabulary is "A Brief History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson.

He goes through the history of science, but makes it really interesting. So, you learn the names of the people who made discoveries but you also learn about their failures and the strange stuff that happened as well.

Because it's interesting, you can learn the scientific terms, including biology vocab really easily and have fun while you are doing it.

If you know why something was called what it was called, it's that much easier to remember it.

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      Woman standing behind a stack of books