A word is a signal, not full understanding
A dictionary-style meaning can help you begin, but usage, register, grammar, culture, topic, speaker and sentence context may change what the word communicates. Keep the first meaning provisional enough to improve.
Use the word in a real sentence
Write or find one sentence where the word is doing real work. Ask what it means there, what grammatical role matters, and whether another translation would sound more natural.
Record uncertainty instead of guessing
If pronunciation, spelling, meaning, root, translation, or context is uncertain, mark it. A blank or review-needed field is more truthful than filling the gap from memory or assumption.
Return and reuse
A useful vocabulary record should come back into reading, writing, speaking, listening, translation or reflection. Recognition alone is weaker evidence than being able to use or explain the word in context.
Reflection
Questions to sit with
- What does this word mean here?
- What sentence shows the meaning clearly?
- What am I still unsure about?