Are there efficient ways to remember vocabulary words other then by memorization?

I have done studies over this and it really depends on the individual. I have found that most people do so much better when they write the word several times on paper. I know it sounds elementary but this is one of the most effective ways of doing it.

Make them into a song

I’ll never forget how to say the days of the week in french and german because of that

:)

One really effective technique is walking around your room/house/yard and “fake hide” the words in different places, for example in the sofa, the lamp or wherever. If you are really in to it you can even write down the words on paper slips and hide them for real. Then when you have to remember the words just retrace your steps in your head.. “what’s that word again, oh the one in the sofa, balaneutics!”

Only downside is people will think you are crazy.

For a more practical approach write the words down on the front face of little ½ by 2 inch paper slips, and write a hint on the back. Put a rubber band around the pack. Now bring the pack with you everywhere and whenever you are doing nothing (subway, boring class, listening to girlfriend on phone (maybe not the last one)) flip the cue cards and practice the words.

Many words can be broken down into parts—a root and prefixes and suffixes that fit together like Legos and can be reused in different combinations. If you can look at them in parts and remember what the parts mean, and relate them to other words you know, that can really help a lot. This is especially useful with words that have Latin and Greek origins. And the Latin roots are very similar to words you may already know in Spanish, Italian, or French.

For example, most words with “port” in them are going to have something to do with carrying because they come from the Latin word “portare,” which means “to carry.” So such words as “portable,” “transport,” and “export” are all related. You may not be able to arrive at an exact definition that way, but you can get close enough to make a good guess or trigger what you already know.

Over time you can accumulate a lot of recurring elements, and they can give you a way of tackling new words so you don’t have to memorize each and every one as a completely new, separate unit.

Personally, I use a memorization software called Anki. It is more designed for long term memorization, so I am not sure that it is what you are looking for, but it is essentially electronic flash cards. Once you see a the answer to a card, you tell the program how well you knew it ( I had no doubt, I was pretty sure, I took a guess, I had no idea, ect..) Based on that, the program will show you a card next at a different time. If you were sure about it, you won’t see that card for a while, but if you were unsure, you’ll see it soon. This way, you focus on what you need to know, but every so often, an old card comes up to keep you on your toes.
Again, I am not sure how useful this is in a short term fashion, but, even if it isn’t what you are looking for right now, it is a nifty program.

I always memorize words using a mnemonic device.

I’ve had luck with certain things relating things I want to remember with a ridiculous mental image.

Will Rogers (I think) said that in order for a word to belong to you, use it three times. I love trying new vocab. in my writing.

Rhyming, and opposites.

Off and on, Black and White.

How now brown cow.

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.

The best way to learn a new word is to use it in context. I’m having a tough time with math, but it got easier once I stopped memorizing and started trying to understand the concepts themselves. Maybe putting vocabulary words in sentences isn’t that interesting, but try to work them into your everyday life in some way if you can. Or find synonyms for them that are simpler.