Understanding meaning of unfamiliar words from the context
TODAY'S LESSON
Context Clues
Context clues are indications found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that you can use to recognize the meanings of new or unfamiliar words.
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DEFINITION / DESCRIPTION CLUE
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The new term may be formally defined, or sufficient explanation may be given within the sentence or in the following sentence. Clues to definition include “that is,” commas, dashes, and parentheses.
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Example: His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like appearance, was frightening to see. “Skeleton-like appearance” is the definition of “emaciation.”
2. EXAMPLE CLUES
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Sometimes when a reader finds a new word, an example might be found nearby that helps to explain its meaning. Words like including, such as, and for example, point out example clues.
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Example: Piscatorial creatures, such as flounder, salmon, and trout, live in the coldest parts of the ocean. “Piscatorial” obviously refers to fish.
3. SYNONYM RESTATEMENT CLUE
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The reader may discover the meaning of an unknown word because it repeats an idea expressed in familiar words nearby. Synonyms are words with the same meaning.
Example: Flooded with spotlights – the focus of all attention – the new Miss America began her year-long reign. She was the cynosure of all eyes for the rest of the evening. “Cynosure” means “the focus of all attention.”
Example: When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract; however, when it grows darker, they dilate. “Dilate” means the opposite of “contract.”
4. CONTRAST / ANTONYM CLUE
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Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. An opposite meaning context clue contrasts the meaning of an unfamiliar word with the meaning of a familiar term. Words like “although,” “however,” and “but” may signal contrast clues.
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8. INFERENCE CLUE
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Sufficient clues might be available for the careful reader to make an educated guess at the meaning.
Example: She told her friend, “I’m through with blind dates forever. What a dull evening! I was bored every minute. The conversation was absolutely vapid.” “Vapid” means “uninteresting.”
9. CAUSE AND EFFECT CLUE
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The author explains the reason for or the result of the word. Words like “because,” “since,” “therefore,” “thus,” “so,” etc. may signal context clues.
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Example: She wanted to impress all her dinner guests with the food she served, so she carefully studied the necessary culinary arts. “Culinary” means “food preparation.”
5. MOOD / TONE CLUE
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The author sets a mood, and the meaning of the unknown word must harmonize with the mood.
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Example: The lugubrious wails of the gypsies matched the dreary whistling of the wind in the allbut-deserted cemetery. “Lugubrious,” which means “sorrowful,” fits into the mood set by the words “wails,” “dreary,” and “deserted cemetery.”
6. EXPERIENCE CLUE
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Sometimes a reader knows from experience how people or things act in a given situation. This knowledge provides the clue to a word’s meaning.
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Example: During those first bewildering weeks, the thoughts of a college freshman drift back to high school where he was “in,” knew everyone, and felt at home. A feeling of nostalgia sweeps over him.
7. ANALYSIS OR STRUCTURE CLUE
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The parts used to construct a word can be direct clues to meaning. Knowledge of prefixes, roots, and suffixes can aid a reader in using this type of context clue. Learning one word part can add dozens of words to a reader’s vocabulary. The power of word parts lies in the ability to combine the roots and affixes with the context in which a word is used to discover the author’s meaning.
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Example: The story is incredible. The root cred means “to believe,’ and the prefix in means “not.” Therefore, if a story is incredible, it is unbelievable.