Word Study: Unit 4, Day 1: Context Clues & Multiple Meaning Words

Context Clues are hints that the author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word.

The clue may appear within the same sentence, come earlier in the passage, or follow in later sentences.

Type of Context Clue

Definition Example

Synonyms A synonym, or word with the same

meaning, is used in the sentence.

After seeing the picture of the starving

children, we felt anguish, or sadness,

for their suffering.

Circle the synonym for anguish.

What must anguish mean?

Antonyms An antonym, or word with the opposite

meaning, is used in the sentence.

Although some women are loquacious,

others are quiet and hardly talk at all.

Circle the antonym for loquacious.

What must loquacious mean?

Definition / Explanation

The unknown word is defined or

explained elsewhere in the sentence or

passage.

The patient was so somnolent that she

required medication to help her stay

awake.

Circle the definition/explanation of

somnolent.

What must somnolent mean?

Examples Specific examples are used to help

explain the unknown word.

Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon,

and stars, are governed by the laws of

science.

Circle the examples of the unknown

word.

What must “celestial bodies” mean?

Let’s Practice!

1. There are many theories, or ideas, as to why the dinosaurs disappeared.

a. What must theories mean? ideas (synonym context clue)

2. Mary got a scholarship, or money to pay for school, because she won the writing contest.

a. What must scholarship mean? money to pay for school (definition/explanation context clue)

3. John used utensils, including a fork and knife, to eat his lunch.

a. What must utensils mean? things to eat with (example context clue)

4. Joe was reluctant to take the job of team captain, but Billy was excited to take over.

a. What must reluctant mean? hesitant (antonym context clue)