Dictionaries have a certain image. We're beguiled when we see them lined up on a shelf. Like the advertising for Coca Cola, they promise a succession of wild women, powerful cars and endless summers. In their own way, of course.
The sell an image . . . well, more of myth. They strengthen the belief that you can obtain a language via a book. Which is true to a certain extent.
Let me try to say it more clearly: dictionaries reinforce the notion that you can learn a language one word at a time. Bit by bit. With a dictionary you can look up unknown words and learn them one at a time. You'll master their spelling, meaning and usage. And then go onto the next word.
That's wrong. It's the stumbling block to language learning. That is not how languages are learned naturally. And that is not an approach that works with any degree of effectiveness and efficiency.
But I can understand how people feel; I felt the same way (and still do from time to time when I forget my better set of principles).
By all means, use a dictionary when you must. Just do so judiciously, because they are great time wasters.
Consider using a dictionary which explains words in the same language as the words you look up. Use one that has plenty of example sentences from the real world. Don't use a dictionary that tries to convey the pronunciation using the alphabet and sounds of your language. Choose a dictionary that gives you an idea of how common each word is in spoken and in written speech.
Also good to know is which words your word goes with. In which situations is it used? Is it colloquial, jargon, slang, or old-fashioned? Does it come from another language originally?
Don't forget that a single word is an abstraction. A single word carried little meaning. We hardly use them except in response to questions that require a one-wold answer (e.g. blue), or to give a command (e.g. stop!).
