Next time you’re found with your chin on the ground
There a lot to be learned, so look around

Just what makes that little old ant
Think he’ll move that rubber tree plant?
Anyone knows an ant can’t
Move a rubber tree plant

But he’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes
He’s got high apple pie in the sky hopes

We know that sometimes vocabulary study can be a daunting process. There’s so much to learn, and often so little time to fit a study routine into your already-busy daily life. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that you don’t have to do it all at once. Even 15 minutes a day will add up over time, and you’ll discover that all of your small daily efforts have resulted in a large increase in your vocabulary skills. Take your inspiration from the ant in the song, and learn these four words today. If you don’t have time for all four, concentrate on learning one well. Remember, even a little progress is still progress.

antonym (AN-toh-nihm) noun
From the Greek roots anti (“opposite”) and onoma (“name”), this is the term for a word that is the opposite in meaning to another word. Antonym is the antonym of “synonym” (defined as a word with the same meaning). A quick way to increase your vocabulary is to study the antonyms of each word you’re learning. This will help improve your understanding of the meaning of the word and how it’s used, and will double or triple the number of words you know.

antecedent (an-teh-SEE-dent) noun
Some people confuse words with the prefix anti- (“opposite”) and ante- (“before”) but if you remember to study a word’s etymology – that is, the history of the word and what came before its present meaning and use – you won’t be one of them. The word antecedent means something that has “gone before” or “preceded” something else.

anthropology (an-throw-PAH-loh-gee) noun
This refers not to the study (note the suffix -logy) of ants, but rather of human beings.

antipathy (an-TIH-pah-thee) noun
Note: The ‘th’ sound is soft, as in the word ‘thing.’
If you’re feeling antipathy towards your study of vocabulary, it’s time to find ways to make it fun and enjoyable. This word means “intense dislike” (from the Greek roots anti- and pathos, “feeling”). To fall in love with vocabulary again, play some word games, read a good book, or even take a day off your study routine – but don’t forget to start it again the next day.

So any time you’re gettin’ low
‘stead of lettin’ go
Just remember that ant –
Oops! there goes another rubber tree plant!

from the 1959 song “High Hopes” written by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn