Vocabulary in Context

Context? Most Americans can speak only one ______. Europeans, however, ___________ several. As a result, Europeans think _______ are unfriendly and unwilling to communicate with them. Can you figure out the missing words? How did you do it? What helped you?

Try this! The boy was portly, but his sister was thin. What’s the meaning of the bold printed word? How did you do it? What helped you?

How do you guess the Meaning of Unfamiliar Words? There are words or phrases around an unfamiliar word that can help you understand the meaning of a new word. These words and phrases are called context clues.  If you learn how to use these clues, you can save yourself a trip to the dictionary, increase your vocabulary, and improve your reading comprehension.

Types of Context Clues Definition Restatement or Synonym Contrast or Antonym Comparison Example List or Series Cause and Effect Description or Inference

Definition The unknown word is linked to a more familiar word or phrase; usually a form of to be is used. Example: Entomology is the study of insects Archeology is the scientific study of prehistoric cultures by excavation of their remains.

Restatement of Synonym The meaning is usually right after the unfamiliar word and often separated from the rest of the sentence with commas, dashes, or parentheses; sometimes, or that is, or in other words is used. Examples: Meat eaters, or carnivores, are at the top of the food chain. The ducklings—those baby ducks—were swimming after their mother. She enjoyed biology (the study of living things)

Contrast or Antonym The unfamiliar word is shown to be different from or unlike another word, and is often an opposite; but, however, although, otherwise, unless, instead, on the contrary, on the other hand, while, never, no, or not may be used to signal contrast. Example: Mrs. Smith, our new neighbor, is loquacious, but her husband only talks very little.

Comparison The unfamiliar word is shown to be the same as or like another word; too, like, as, similar to, or in the same way may be used to signal the comparison. Example: Women are enthralled by fashion and jewelry. Similar to the way that men are fascinated by cars and sports.

Example The unfamiliar word is cleared up by giving an example; for instance, such as, and for example may be used as signals. Example: The archeologist found different amulets, such as a rabbit’s foot and bags of herbs, near the ancient altar. Amulet – ornament or piece of jewelry to give protection against evil, danger, or disease.

List or Series The unfamiliar word is included in a series of related words that give an idea of the word’s meaning. Signal words: include, consist of, comprise Example: North American predators include grizzly bears, pumas, wolves, and foxes.

Cause and Effect The meaning of an unfamiliar word is signaled by a cause-and-effect relationship between ideas in the text. Signal words: Due to, because, as a result… Example: Due to a dearth of fish, the seagulls almost died of hunger. Dearth – a scarcity or lack of something.

Description or inference The meaning of an unfamiliar word can be inferred from the description of a situation or experience. Example: The dog’s vociferous barks made me unable to hear the news on TV.