The term "word-hoard" refers to a collection of words that a person possesses and uses to communicate. There are several synonyms for this word, including lexicon, vocabulary, word stock, and verbal arsenal. These terms all refer to the words that a person has at their disposal to express themselves. A person's lexicon, for example, may include both common and obscure words, while their vocabulary refers specifically to the words they know the meanings of. The term word stock refers to the collection of words that a person has learned over time, and their verbal arsenal refers to the words they use to persuade or convey emotion. Regardless of the term used, having a rich word-hoard is critical for effective communication.