Context clues

English

Definition

Words, phrases, or sentences surrounding an unfamiliar word that help a reader determine its meaning without using a dictionary. Using context clues is one of the most important reading strategies for building vocabulary and comprehension.

How It Works

  1. Stop when you encounter an unknown word and reread the sentence.
  2. Look at the words and sentences immediately before and after the unknown word.
  3. Identify signal words like 'such as,' 'unlike,' 'meaning,' or 'for example.'
  4. Use the clues to make an educated guess about the word's meaning.
  5. Substitute your guess into the sentence to see if it makes sense.

Examples

  • 'The dog was so lethargic that it barely lifted its head' — context suggests lethargic means very tired or sluggish
  • 'She was jubilant, laughing and jumping for joy' — the description reveals jubilant means extremely happy

Related Terms

Context clue types Vocabulary in context Unknown word analysis Vocabulary strategies

Study This Concept

Practice context clues with free review games in these units:

English 9 Unit 5: Vocabulary in Context