What does context mean? A word’s context is the words, phrases, and sentences that surround it. If you look closely at the context of an unknown word, you often get clues about that words meaning. Look for: Synonyms Antonyms Definitions Examples Read Surrounding Sentences When ALL ELSE FAILS use a Dictionary

Look for Synonyms Watch for words that repeat the same meaning.   From “Boys Against Girls” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: What does precocious mean? Just because she was supposed to be super smart – “precocious,” the grown-ups called it – didn’t mean he had to like her. You probably see that super smart and precocious both mean the same thing. In this sentence super smart and precocious are synonyms.

Look for Antonyms Watch for words with opposite meanings. Sometimes authors use them to make a point.   From “ Nomi and the Magic Fish” by Judy Sierra: When Nomi was a little girl, her mother died, and her father married another woman. This woman had a daughter called Nomsa. Nomi was a beautiful, tall child, but Nomsa was very short and ugly.  The author uses two pair of antonyms to show that Nomi and Nomsa looked very different from each other.

Look for Definitions Watch for definitions defined near a word. Sometimes you’ll see words and phrases – such as or, that is, and in other words – with a definition right after it in parentheses.   From “Census Surprise!” from Junior Scholastic: What does census mean? The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a census (people count) every ten years. Since 1960, the population growth rate had been slowing down. But no longer. Notice that the meaning of the word census is given right after it in parentheses.

Look for Examples Watch for examples that explain what a word means. Examples often follow words or phrases, such as for example, such as, like, and especially.   From “Boys Against Girls” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: What is an abaguchie? Actually, nobody knew if there was an abaguchie in Buckman at all, and if there was, just what kind of creature it was. For several years various people in Upshur County claimed to have seen a large animal, something like a cat, lurking around in the shadows, running along the edge of the woods, or even crawling about under somebody’s window. The word abaguchie is unfamiliar, but you soon learn that it’s a “creature,” “a large animal, something like a cat.”

Read Surrounding Sentences Look closely at the sentence containing the word, as well as the sentences that come before and after it.  From “The Sultan’s Perfect Tree” by Jane Yolan: What does blemish mean? There was a sultan who loved perfection. In his palace he would allow only the most perfect things. Each fruit that he ate had to be without blemish. Each cup that he drank had to be without flaw. By reading the whole passage, you learn that the word blemish means “a flaw”. Something that is perfect would not have a blemish.