Useful definitions in dictionaries — an example

In a good English dictionary, the definitions tell you how to use a word. For example, here are two definitions of the word get off:

to get off = to get out of a vehicle —Longman Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs

This definition is correct, but it is very general. It doesn’t tell you that you can get off a train, but you can’t get off a car. (A train and a car are both vehicles.)

If you get off a bus, train, etc, you leave it. —Collins COBUILD on CD-ROM

This definition has more information about the word get off. It tells you that you can get off a bus or a train. This definition is almost as useful as example sentences. After reading this definition, you can start using the word get off in your own sentences.