Unknown word analysis

English

Definition

Unknown word analysis is a set of strategies readers use to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words without a dictionary. These strategies include examining context clues, breaking the word into recognizable parts (prefixes, roots, suffixes), and considering the word's role in the sentence.

How It Works

  1. Read the full sentence and surrounding sentences for context clues.
  2. Look for word parts: prefixes, roots, and suffixes you recognize.
  3. Consider the word's part of speech based on its position in the sentence.
  4. Check for signal words like 'such as,' 'meaning,' or 'in other words' that may define it.
  5. Substitute your guess into the sentence to see if it makes sense.

Examples

  • Figuring out 'benevolent' by recognizing 'bene-' (good) and the context 'She was benevolent, always donating to charity'
  • Using the contrast clue in 'Unlike his gregarious brother, Tom was shy and quiet' to determine 'gregarious' means sociable
  • Breaking down 'unforeseeable': un- (not) + fore (before) + see + -able (capable of) = not able to be seen beforehand

Related Terms

Context clues Word parts strategy Common latin roots Common greek roots

Study This Concept

Practice unknown word analysis with free review games in these units:

Vocabulary Unit 1: Context Clues and Word Parts