A definition tells you what a word means. An example sentence shows you how it lives. The difference matters enormously for test prep, because standardized tests present words in context, not in glossaries.
Don't just memorize "perfunctory — done without care or enthusiasm." Instead, create a vivid example: "She gave the report a perfunctory glance before tossing it aside." Now you have a mental image — someone skimming carelessly — that's much easier to recall than an abstract definition.
Reading Rockets' vocabulary research shows that students who learn words through rich contexts and examples retain them significantly longer than those who study definitions alone.
Here's the technique: for each new word, write your own example sentence using a situation from your life. If you're meticulous about your study notes, write that. If your friend gave you candid feedback about your essay, use that. Personal connections create the strongest memories.
As ETS's official GRE flashcards demonstrate, the best flashcard has the word on the front and both a definition and a personal example sentence on the back. When you review, try to recall the sentence first — the definition will come with it.
This is why ExamVocab includes an example sentence on every flashcard. Words learned in isolation are fragile; words learned through sentences become part of your working vocabulary.