Most people don’t think about the meaning of the words they use, they usually just go with what first comes to mind. As authors we have a duty to be more versatile in our word choices, especially if the characters we’re writing have access to a word library we don’t usually have or hear. Increasing our vocabularies is always a good way to improve as both writers and conversationalists. Sometimes the words don’t feel like they would fit a character we’re writing, and occasionally someone who wants to help us improve will point it out and suggest some words they think might be a better fit for that character. It’s usually easier with OCs because we have a clear idea what they’re like and how they would talk, but if a story goes on long enough we can find some of the readers picking up context about the character that we ourselves were unaware of to the point they point out how the word choices of the characters seems a bit off with the OCs as well.

A good way to expand your vocabulary is reading the works of others, another way is looking over a dictionary and thesaurus. You can pick up new words from just talking with other people, new and and familiar to you, or just sitting around somewhere. Regardless of how you expand your vocabulary and better understand your lexicons, it’s usually a good idea to keep improving them however you can.

So here’s a little exercise/game we can play, we post a word and its meanings and one or two of its synonyms; and if you want you can use the word in an example sentence. I’ll start things off.

Picaroon:
1) A rogue, thieif, vagabond, or Brigand
2) A pirate or corsair
3) Verb: (used without object): to act or operate as a pirate or brigand

example sentence: Princess Celestia claimed her sister decided to make a play at being a picaroon in their younger days.

Molest, verb
1. Assault or abuse (sexually)
2. Pester or harass someone, usually in a persistent or aggressive manner.
3. Cause trouble to, or vex.

Luna: "I am constantly molested by these nobles, always asking for tax cuts or waivers!

Chuckle, verb
1. A quiet or suppressed laugh
2. A deep bass giggle
3. Laugh quietly or inwardly in a way that doesn't alert those very far away

Example: Big Macintosh gave a hearty chuckle at the joke as he shook his head at Applebloom.

Other words to use:
Laugh, giggle, heckle, or snicker