An essential step in learning and using any language is the acquisition of a working vocabulary. Many methods have been devised to help with this acquisition, all of them stressing the fundamental importance of mastering the words most frequently used. The Owen and Goodspeed word-lists - in which Homeric terms are arranged according to frequency of usage, divided into categories according to parts of speech, and presented in an easy-to-use format - are particularly helpful.

The word-lists are based in part upon Gehring's famed Index Homericus and are designed to help the student learn Homeric words in a systematic way, thereby marking the reading of Homer a rewarding and natural experience.