The method I use to retain vocabulary is very primitive. Every time I see a new word, I write it down in Google Keep. I write it down with "associated" words, m

The method I use to retain vocabulary is very primitive. Every time I see a new word, I write it down in Google Keep. I write it down with "associated" words, maybe just one or two. It looks like this: "saccharine/mawkish/sappy". I have a block of text then which looks like: "saccharine/mawkish/sappy; halcyon/good old days; vituperative/acerbic/caustic/bitter". Just a massive, massive block. And everyday, my eyes scan over this block - maybe just one or two minutes - for words I don't quite recall, or simply words I forgot and would like to use again. "Interstices", "effete", "recidivist", "hormetic" all launch into my consciousness, and so I am reminded of what they mean. I have personally found this a very effective method for both efficiently recording new vocabulary and then recalling it. As a result, more vocabulary "sticks" - a lot more. I don't try to use it too often, to avoid coming off as pretentious, but in fact I think it has expanded my thinking quite a bit. I don't just reach for the first word that's immediately available to me. Whenever I have a thought, I now have a several choices in which I can articulate it. Subjectively at least, I feel it affords me greater precision in my thoughts. For that reason it has been well worth the investment.