Using CONTEXT CLUES to

Understand NEW WORDS!

One way to figure out the meaning of a word is from its context. The context is the other words and sentences in the paragraph surrounding the new word. When you figure out the meaning of a word from context, you are making a guess about its meaning based on hints and clues. You might not be able to guess the exact meaning of a word, but you may be close enough to get the meaning of the sentence.

1) Sometimes the writer will provide a definition or a synonym right there near the term. A definition is a statement giving the meaning of a word. A synonym is a word that means almost the same as another.

Example:

When the teacher returned, she delivered a diatribe, or harsh criticism, to the class. Her angry words certainly got the children’s attention.

What is the meaning of the word diatribe? You can use the context of the sentence to see the definition right next to it, or you have used the synonym “angry words” to unlock the meaning.

2) Another context clue is a word of opposite meaning (antonym) set near the new word.

Example: "I was not exactly enamored with the holiday plans my parents made for me; my lack of enthusiasm was triggered by the eight-hour car ride to my grandparents’ house."

What is the meaning of the word enamored? You can use the context to see enamored with means the opposite of lacking of enthusiasm.

3) At times, rereading a sentence that contains an unfamiliar term and substituting a word or phrase for it that makes sense can help you to find the meaning of the unfamiliar word.

Example:"When we stayed at the military base, each Saturday we went to the commissary to buy the food and supplies we would need for the next week."

Although you may never have visited a commissary, given the use of the word in this sentence, you immediately can substitute the word store for the word commissary. You probably can wrestle an even more complete meaning for commissary from the overall context of the sentence: a store for food and supplies that is located on a military base.

Practice Context CluesRead each sentence below and circle the closest meaning based on the context clue that helps you define the meaning of the key term. Highlight the part of the sentence that provided your clue.

1.  Joan loves to buy exotic foods: vegetables and herbs from China, spices from India, olives from Greece, and cheeses from France.

expensive seasonings rare from  other places

2.  At first, the surgery seemed to be successful. But several hours later, the patient’s condition began to deteriorate, and it continued to worsen over the next few days.

stabilize surprise everyone change decay or decline

3.  In Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three spirits who changed him into a generous man.

cheapskate single and elderly unhappy wealthy

4.  Raul is an indulgent father. For instance, he lets his daughter stay up as late as she likes and he never insists that she does her homework.

lazy  and caring stupid and kind strict and mean lenient and tolerant

5.  Languages evolve over time, as you can see if you open a page of The Canterbury Tales, written about six hundred years ago by the English poet Chaucer. It is barely recognizable as English today.

develop age increase complexity regress

6.  The decision Veronica made to study instead of going out for pizza with her friends was prudent. She got an A on the exam, while her friends all got D’s.

anti-social careful and wise selfish calculating

7.  Whenever something bad happens to Jane, she ways it’s the fault of destiny. But I prefer to take charge of my own life rather than simply blaming fate.

bad luck evil caused by someone poor planning event that happens regardless

8.  My father died when I was a baby, but Mom told me so many stories about him that I feel I knew him well. For example, one anecdote was about how he cried with joy when I was born.

medicine or cure biographical account example joke

9.  Ivan is a wonderful piano player. But Jerri is more versatile; she sings, acts, paints and writes poetry, and also plays the piano.

talented show off superior skills many abilities

10. This third grade was full of precocious children. One child had learned to read at two and another could do algebra at age 6.

backward active ahead pretty

11. When going to an office party you should show your best decorum, for example, dress your best, drink and eat moderately, and be sure to thank the host before you leave.

civility decorations party moves rudeness

12. We thought that the mother would be very distraught at hearing of her husband's accident; however, she took the news quite calmly.

tranquil angry disgusted anxious

13. It is refreshing to see students so excited, so zealous in doing their homework.

zany dedicated indifferent jealous