It was with a twinge of sadness that I trudged over to a Little Free Library a few weeks ago to part ways with “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson. In his memoir, Bryson recounts his bumpy trek along the Appalachian Trail with his chaotic buddy, Katz. While the book doesn’t have a riveting plot line or a satisfying ending, I did enjoy the way Bryson describes the world; something about his wording makes even the most mundane experiences seem significant. This struck me as a kind of superpower: If I, too, had the ability to so eloquently articulate what I observe in the world, maybe I could extract more meaning from everyday life.

And so grew my interest in expanding my vocabulary. In today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected world, the ability to express our own ideas and decipher those of others is a priceless skill.

The most obvious benefit of developing one’s vocabulary is to improve communication skills. A person with a well-developed vocabulary can select words that more accurately convey their ideas, minimizing any potential distortion of the given message as it’s relayed to the audience. Variety can keep explanations from growing confusing and monotonous. With practice, selecting the right words is easy, keeping in-person conversations fluid and engaging.

Central to vocabulary learning is acknowledging the listener’s perspective. Developing a greater vocabulary is about more than just throwing around big words to sound smart. It’s actually quite the opposite. It is a practice of seeking to better understand other people, considering things from their viewpoint and employing the words that best connect with them. During sensitive conversations, for example, word choice might mean the difference between a respectful discussion and a heated dispute. Of course, simply learning more words is not a surefire way to ensure successful communication, but it might help.

Vocabulary could also serve as a tool for gaining a more profound understanding of your own experiences. According to the theory of linguistic relativity—also known as the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis—the language you speak shapes the way you perceive the world. The idea is that words and grammatical structures provide a framework that guides the thought process. For instance, a lack of vocabulary on a subject might limit a person’s ability to grasp its nuances, while in other cases, a certain grammatical structure might communicate a meaning that other structures do not. While the degree of a language’s influence on cognition is still widely debated and closely intertwined with culture, a wider vocabulary can bolster your ability to learn from your surroundings. A broad assortment of terms gives you multiple angles from which to conceptualize complex ideas, and the information in difficult texts and speeches becomes more accessible to you. In other words, learning words helps you learn.

Trying to acquire and master words also forces me to pay more attention in everyday settings, making it an exercise in mindfulness. It encourages me to find words in class readings that might be applicable to other parts of my life and to experiment with more specific words when writing and speaking. It also has the consequence of pushing me to be a better listener. Do I truly understand what other people are saying? Can I find a word that accurately captures the ideas they are trying to express? Do they use words that are effective at communicating concepts that I myself struggle to explain? In these circumstances, it impresses me how looking for words drives a deeper level of reflection overall.

Finally, devoting attention to your vocabulary fosters an appreciation for quality communication. Word choice is one of many tools we use to conceptualize and convey meaning. Whatever your communication style might be, hone it. Take note of how it both molds your perception of the world and leads you to unique insights that others might not catch. If you need somewhere to start, vocabulary is a great place. What new word will you learn today?