Context Clues
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Text book writers usually know when they must use a word that will be new to their student readers. So they often include other words or phrases to help with the understanding of the new word. These words or phrases are referred to as context clues. They are built into the sentences around the difficult word. If you become more aware of the words around the difficult words you encounter in your reading, you will save your self many trips to the dictionary. You will be able to make logical guesses about the meanings of many words.
CONTEXT CLUES
Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or
passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or
unfamiliar words.
Learning the meaning of a word through its use in a sentence or
paragraph is the most practical way to build vocabulary, since a dictionary is
not always available when a reader encounters an unknown word.
A reader must be aware that many words have several possible meanings. Only by being
sensitive to the circumstances in which a word is used can the reader decide upon an appropriate
definition to fit the context.
A reader should rely on context clues when an obvious clue to meaning is provided, or when
only a general sense of the meaning is needed for the reader’s purposes. Context clues should not be
relied upon when a precise meaning is required, when clues suggest several possible definitions,
when nearby words are unfamiliar, and when the unknown word is a common one that will be
needed again; in these cases, a dictionary should be consulted.
There are several different types of context clues. Some of them are:
1. DEFINITION / DESCRIPTION CLUE
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.
Examples:
a. His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like appearance, was frightening to see.
“Skeleton-like appearance” is the definition of “emaciation.”
b. Fluoroscopy, examination with a fluoroscope, has become a common practice.
The commas before and after “examination with a fluoroscope” point out the definition of
“fluoroscopy.”
c. The dudeen – a short-stemmed clay pipe – is found in Irish folk tales.
The dashes setting off “a short-stemmed clay pipe” point out the definition of “dudeen.”
2. EXAMPLE CLUES
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.
Examples:
a. Piscatorial creatures, such as flounder, salmon, and trout, live in the coldest parts of the
ocean.
“Piscatorial” obviously refers to fish.
b. Celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, and stars, have fascinated man through the
centuries.
“Celestial” objects are those in the sky or heavens. READING – Context Clues
rev. August 2005
c. In the course of man’s evolution, certain organs have atrophied. The appendix, for
example, has wasted away from disuse.
“Atrophied” means “wasted away.”
3. SYNONYM RESTATEMENT CLUE
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.
Examples:
a. 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.”
b. The mountain pass was a tortuous road, winding and twisting like a snake around the
trees of the mountainside.
“Tortuous” means “winding and twisting.”
4. CONTRAST / ANTONYM CLUE
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.
Examples:
a. When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract; however, when it grows darker,
they dilate.
“Dilate” means the opposite of “contract.”
b. The children were as different as day and night. He was a lively conversationalist, but
she was reserved and taciturn.
“Taciturn” means the opposite of a “lively conversationalist.”
5. MOOD / TONE CLUE
The author sets a mood, and the meaning of the unknown word must harmonize with the
mood.
Examples:
a. 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.”
CONTEXT CLUES
Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or
passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or
unfamiliar words.
Learning the meaning of a word through its use in a sentence or
paragraph is the most practical way to build vocabulary, since a dictionary is
not always available when a reader encounters an unknown word.
A reader must be aware that many words have several possible meanings. Only by being
sensitive to the circumstances in which a word is used can the reader decide upon an appropriate
definition to fit the context.
A reader should rely on context clues when an obvious clue to meaning is provided, or when
only a general sense of the meaning is needed for the reader’s purposes. Context clues should not be
relied upon when a precise meaning is required, when clues suggest several possible definitions,
when nearby words are unfamiliar, and when the unknown word is a common one that will be
needed again; in these cases, a dictionary should be consulted.
There are several different types of context clues. Some of them are:
1. DEFINITION / DESCRIPTION CLUE
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.
Examples:
a. His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like appearance, was frightening to see.
“Skeleton-like appearance” is the definition of “emaciation.”
b. Fluoroscopy, examination with a fluoroscope, has become a common practice.
The commas before and after “examination with a fluoroscope” point out the definition of
“fluoroscopy.”
c. The dudeen – a short-stemmed clay pipe – is found in Irish folk tales.
The dashes setting off “a short-stemmed clay pipe” point out the definition of “dudeen.”
2. EXAMPLE CLUES
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.
Examples:
a. Piscatorial creatures, such as flounder, salmon, and trout, live in the coldest parts of the
ocean.
“Piscatorial” obviously refers to fish.
b. Celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, and stars, have fascinated man through the
centuries.
“Celestial” objects are those in the sky or heavens. READING – Context Clues
rev. August 2005
c. In the course of man’s evolution, certain organs have atrophied. The appendix, for
example, has wasted away from disuse.
“Atrophied” means “wasted away.”
3. SYNONYM RESTATEMENT CLUE
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.
Examples:
a. 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.”
b. The mountain pass was a tortuous road, winding and twisting like a snake around the
trees of the mountainside.
“Tortuous” means “winding and twisting.”
4. CONTRAST / ANTONYM CLUE
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.
Examples:
a. When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract; however, when it grows darker,
they dilate.
“Dilate” means the opposite of “contract.”
b. The children were as different as day and night. He was a lively conversationalist, but
she was reserved and taciturn.
“Taciturn” means the opposite of a “lively conversationalist.”
5. MOOD / TONE CLUE
The author sets a mood, and the meaning of the unknown word must harmonize with the
mood.
Examples:
a. 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.”