A good online dictionary for learning about words

Merriam-Webster Online   

is a very good online dictionary for improving your vocabulary.   I highly recommend the free app for Apple or Android devices.    You must get away from translation dictionaries and bad dictionaries that give you poor or insufficient information about words.    And you must learn how to use dictionaries correctly.      Study the example above for the information about the academic word, 'passive'.

First, you need to know which form and meaning of the word you are interested in.  For example, with passive it is the adjective, not the noun form you need to learn.

Second,  you need to learn the pronunciation -- the syllabification, the stress and the individual sounds.

Third you must learn the meaning (try via English, not your own language) in this academic context.

Fourth,  learn the other related forms of the word.

Fifth,  see how the word occurs in sentences.  Then you can write your own sentences using the word.


Additionally,  learning synonyms and antonyms is very beneficial.


If you have done well on vocabulary quizzes 1 and 2, then you are studying vocabulary well.   If you have not done so well,  then there is a problem with how you are studying and learning vocabulary.