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Learning Strategiesby FlashRecall Team

Dictionary App With Flashcards: The Best Way To Learn New Words Faster (Most People Skip This)

dictionary app with flashcards is a good start, but it won’t make words stick. See why pairing any dictionary with Flashrecall’s spaced repetition works way...

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FlashRecall dictionary app with flashcards study app interface demonstrating learning strategies flashcards with AI-powered card creation and review scheduling
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FlashRecall dictionary app with flashcards study app screenshot with learning strategies flashcards showing review interface, spaced repetition algorithm, and memory retention tools

Why A Dictionary App With Flashcards Isn’t Enough (And What Actually Works)

So, you’re looking for a dictionary app with flashcards that actually helps you remember words, not just look them up and forget them five minutes later. Honestly, the best move is to use a flashcard app like Flashrecall alongside whatever dictionary you like, because that combo lets you save, review, and actually remember new vocab. Flashrecall turns definitions into smart flashcards, adds spaced repetition, and reminds you when to review so the words actually stick. Instead of just scrolling through a dictionary, you’re actively quizzing yourself, which is way more effective and way less boring. You can grab Flashrecall here:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Why Just Using A Dictionary App Doesn’t Really Work

Alright, let’s be real for a second.

Most dictionary apps are great for:

  • Quickly checking meanings
  • Seeing example sentences
  • Getting pronunciation

But they’re terrible for:

  • Actually remembering the word long-term
  • Reviewing it at the right time
  • Testing yourself

You look up “ubiquitous” once, you go “oh cool,” and then… it disappears from your brain.

That’s where flashcards come in. A dictionary app tells you what the word means.

A flashcard app makes sure you don’t forget it.

The sweet spot is using both together:

  • Dictionary = source of good definitions
  • Flashcards = memory system

Why Flashrecall Works Better Than Built-In Dictionary Flashcards

Some dictionary apps do have basic flashcards built in, but they’re usually super limited:

  • No real spaced repetition
  • No smart reminders
  • No flexibility for other subjects
  • Often clunky or boring to use

Here’s why it’s better than just relying on a “dictionary app with flashcards”:

1. You Can Turn Anything Into A Flashcard

You’re reading in a dictionary, on a website, in a PDF, or in a book? Flashrecall can handle it.

You can create flashcards:

  • From text you copy-paste
  • From images (like textbook pages or screenshots of dictionary entries)
  • From PDFs (great for vocab lists or reading materials)
  • From YouTube links (e.g. language videos or lectures)
  • From audio
  • Or just by typing manually

So if you’re using, say, Merriam-Webster, Oxford, Cambridge, or any dictionary app, you just grab the definition/example you like and throw it into Flashrecall. Done. Card created.

Download link again if you want to check it out while reading:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

2. Built-In Spaced Repetition (So You Don’t Have To Think)

Most dictionary flashcard features are just “here’s a list—good luck.”

Flashrecall actually plans your reviews for you using spaced repetition:

  • Shows new words more often at first
  • Spreads them out over days/weeks as you get better at them
  • Auto reminders so you don’t have to remember when to study

You just open the app, and it’s like:

“Here. These are the 23 words your brain is about to forget. Let’s fix that.”

That’s how you go from:

  • “I kind of know this word”

to

  • “I can use it naturally in a sentence without thinking.”

3. Active Recall Built In

Reading a dictionary is passive.

Flashcards are active.

With Flashrecall:

  • Front of card: the word (or the definition)
  • Back of card: meaning, example sentence, maybe translation, maybe synonyms

You see “ephemeral” → you try to recall the meaning → then you reveal the answer.

That tiny mental effort is what locks the word into your memory.

Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :

Flashrecall spaced repetition study reminders notification showing when to review flashcards for better memory retention

You can also flip it:

  • Front: definition
  • Back: word

Great for test-style studying or if you want to practice producing the word, not just recognizing it.

4. You Can Chat With Your Flashcards (Super Helpful For Vocab)

This is one of the coolest parts: if you’re unsure about a word, you can chat with the flashcard inside Flashrecall.

For example:

  • “Give me 5 more example sentences with this word.”
  • “Explain this word in simpler English.”
  • “What’s the difference between ‘say’ and ‘tell’?”
  • “Use this word in a business email example.”

So instead of going back to the dictionary and searching again, you can deepen your understanding right inside the app.

5. Works For Any Language, Any Level

Flashrecall isn’t locked to English or any single dictionary. It’s great for:

  • English learners
  • Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, etc.
  • Test prep (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, GRE vocab)
  • School or university vocab
  • Medical, legal, or business terminology

Basically, if your dictionary app can show it, Flashrecall can help you remember it.

How To Use A Dictionary + Flashcards Together (Simple Workflow)

Here’s a super easy way to turn any dictionary app into a powerful vocab-learning system using Flashrecall.

Step 1: Look Up The Word In Your Favorite Dictionary App

Use whatever you like:

  • Oxford / Cambridge
  • Merriam-Webster
  • WordReference
  • Collins
  • A bilingual dictionary for your target language

Find:

  • The best definition for your level
  • 1–2 example sentences you actually understand
  • Maybe synonyms or a translation

Step 2: Create A Flashcard In Flashrecall

Open Flashrecall on your iPhone or iPad:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

You can:

  • Paste the word + definition + example as text, or
  • Screenshot the dictionary entry and let Flashrecall turn it into cards from the image, or
  • Use PDFs or notes if you’re working from a vocab list

You can keep it simple:

  • Front: the word
  • Back: definition + one example sentence

Or more advanced:

  • Front: definition
  • Back: word + example sentence
  • Extra field: translation or synonym

Step 3: Let Spaced Repetition Handle The Timing

Once the cards are in Flashrecall:

  • You just review a bit each day
  • The app automatically figures out when to show each card again
  • Hard words show up more often, easy ones less often

No need to manually organize “Day 1 words, Day 2 words…”

You just open the app and follow the queue.

Step 4: Use Chat To Deepen Your Understanding

If a word still feels fuzzy:

  • Ask Flashrecall for more examples
  • Ask for simpler explanations
  • Ask for similar/contrasting words

Example:

> “I don’t really get ‘notwithstanding’—can you give me 3 simple sentences with it?”

Now your flashcard is not just a static note, it’s like a mini tutor for that word.

Why Flashrecall Beats Most “Dictionary App With Flashcards” Options

There are dictionary apps that advertise flashcards, but they usually:

  • Only work inside that one app
  • Don’t support images, PDFs, YouTube, or audio
  • Don’t let you chat with cards
  • Aren’t great for other subjects (only vocab)
  • Often don’t have proper spaced repetition

Flashrecall is more flexible:

  • Works offline – perfect for commuting, flights, or bad Wi-Fi
  • Fast and modern – simple interface, not clunky or old-school
  • Free to start – you can test it without committing
  • Works on iPhone and iPad – sync your learning across devices
  • Great not just for vocab, but also:
  • Exams
  • School subjects
  • University courses
  • Medicine, law, business terms
  • Anything you need to memorize

So instead of being locked into one “dictionary app with flashcards,” you get a universal flashcard system that works with any dictionary you want.

Example: Turning One New Word Into A Solid Memory

Let’s walk through a quick example.

You’re reading and see the word “meticulous.”

1. You search it in your dictionary app.

  • Definition: “very careful and with great attention to detail.”
  • Example: “She keeps meticulous records of her expenses.”

2. You open Flashrecall and create a card:

  • Front: meticulous
  • Back: very careful and with great attention to detail;

Example: “She keeps meticulous records of her expenses.”

3. Over the next days, Flashrecall shows you:

  • Day 1: “meticulous” → you recall the meaning
  • Day 3: again
  • Day 7: again
  • Day 15: again

4. You’re unsure how to use it in your own life, so you chat with the card:

  • “Give me 3 examples of ‘meticulous’ in a work context.”
  • Now you get sentences like:
  • “The designer was meticulous about every pixel.”
  • “He’s meticulous in checking financial reports.”

After a couple of weeks, “meticulous” isn’t just a word you saw once in a dictionary.

It’s a word you own.

Final Thoughts: Use Your Dictionary App, But Don’t Stop There

If you’re searching for a dictionary app with flashcards, what you actually want is:

  • A good dictionary to find words
  • A powerful flashcard system to remember them

Flashrecall gives you that second part in a way that’s:

  • Easy to use
  • Fast to create cards
  • Backed by spaced repetition and active recall
  • Flexible enough for any language or subject

So keep your favorite dictionary app—that’s fine.

Just add Flashrecall on top of it and turn every new word into something you actually remember long-term.

You can try Flashrecall here (free to start):

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085

Use your dictionary to look words up.

Use Flashrecall to make sure you never lose them again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the fastest way to create flashcards?

Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.

Is there a free flashcard app?

Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.

How do I start spaced repetition?

You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.

Related Articles

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Inside the FlashRecall app you can also create your own decks from images, PDFs, YouTube, audio, and text, then use spaced repetition to save your progress and study like top students.

Research References

The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.

Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380

Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice

Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378

Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts

Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19

Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence

Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968

Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning

Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27

Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies

Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58

Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

FlashRecall Team profile

FlashRecall Team

FlashRecall Development Team

The FlashRecall Team is a group of working professionals and developers who are passionate about making effective study methods more accessible to students. We believe that evidence-based learning tec...

Credentials & Qualifications

  • Software Development
  • Product Development
  • User Experience Design

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