hypothesis in a sentence with context clues

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4.6 Using Context Clues

Learning objectives.

• Identify the different types of context clues.
• Practice using context clues while reading.

Context clues are bits of information within a text that will assist you in deciphering the meaning of unknown words. Since most of your knowledge of vocabulary comes from reading, it is important that you recognize context clues. By becoming more aware of particular words and phrases surrounding a difficult word, you can make logical guesses about its meaning. The following are the different types of context clues:

• Brief definition or restatement
• Synonyms and antonyms

Brief Definition or Restatement

Sometimes a text directly states the definition or a restatement of the unknown word. The brief definition or restatement is signaled by a word or a punctuation mark. Consider the following example:

If you visit Alaska, you will likely see many glaciers, or slow moving masses of ice.

In this sentence, the word glaciers is defined by the phrase that follows the signal word or , which is slow moving masses of ice .

In other instances, the text may restate the meaning of the word in a different way, by using punctuation as a signal. Look at the following example:

Marina was indignant—fuming mad—when she discovered her brother had left for the party without her.

Although fuming mad is not a formal definition of the word indignant , it does serve to define it. These two examples use signals—the word or and the punctuation dashes—to indicate the meaning of the unfamiliar word. Other signals to look for are the words is , as , means , known as , and refers to .

Synonyms and Antonyms

Sometimes a text gives a synonym of the unknown word to signal the meaning of the unfamiliar word:

When you interpret an image, you actively question and examine what the image connotes and suggests.

In this sentence the word suggests is a synonym of the word connotes . The word and sometimes signals synonyms.

Likewise, the word but may signal a contrast, which can help you define a word by its antonym.

I abhor clothes shopping, but I adore grocery shopping.

The word abhor is contrasted with its opposite: adore . From this context, the reader can guess that abhor means to dislike greatly.

Sometimes a text will give you an example of the word that sheds light on its meaning:

I knew Mark’s ailurophobia was in full force because he began trembling and stuttering when he saw my cat, Ludwig, slink out from under the bed.

Although ailurophobia is an unknown word, the sentence gives an example of its effects. Based on this example, a reader could confidently surmise that the word means a fear of cats.

Look for signal words like such as , for instance , and for example . These words signal that a word’s meaning may be revealed through an example.

Identify the context clue that helps define the underlined words in each of the following sentences. Write the context clue on your own sheet of paper.

• Lucinda is very adroit on the balance beam, but Constance is rather clumsy.
• I saw the entomologist , a scientist who studies insects, cradle the giant dung beetle in her palm.
• Lance’s comments about politics were irrelevant and meaningless to the botanist’s lecture on plant reproduction.
• Before I left for my trip to the Czech Republic, I listened to my mother’s sage advice and made a copy of my passport.
• His rancor , or hatred, for socializing resulted in a life of loneliness and boredom.
• Martin was mortified , way beyond embarrassment, when his friends teamed up to shove him into the pool.
• The petulant four-year-old had a baby sister who was, on the contrary, not grouchy at all.
• The philosophy teacher presented the students with several conundrums , or riddles, to solve.
• Most Americans are omnivores , people that eat both plants and animals.
• Elena is effervescent , as excited as a cheerleader, for example, when she meets someone for the first time.

On your own sheet of paper, write the name of the context clue that helps to define the underlined words.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

In addition to context clues to help you figure out the meaning of a word, examine the following word parts: prefixes, roots, and suffixes.

Writing at Work

Jargon a type of shorthand communication often used in the workplace. It is the technical language of a special field. Imagine it is your first time working as a server in a restaurant and your manager tells you he is going to “eighty-six” the roasted chicken. If you do not realize that “eighty-six” means to remove an item from the menu, you could be confused.

When you first start a job, no matter where it may be, you will encounter jargon that will likely be foreign to you. Perhaps after working the job for a short time, you too will feel comfortable enough to use it. When you are first hired, however, jargon can be baffling and make you feel like an outsider. If you cannot decipher the jargon based on the context, it is always a good policy to ask.

Key Takeaways

• Context clues are words or phrases within a text that help clarify vocabulary that is unknown to you.
• There are several types of context clues including brief definition and restatement, synonyms and antonyms, and example.

Writing Application

Write a paragraph describing your first job. In the paragraph, use five words previously unknown to you. These words could be jargon words or you may consult a dictionary or thesaurus to find a new word. Make sure to provide a specific context clue for understanding each word. Exchange papers with a classmate and try to decipher the meaning of the words in each other’s paragraphs based on the context clues.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

• Scriptwriting

What are Context Clues — Definition, Examples & Purpose

• What is Deductive Reasoning
• What is Abductive Reasoning
• What is Inductive Reasoning
• Inductive vs Deductive Reasoning
• What are Context Clues

C ontext clues are integral to how we make sense of things. But what are context clues? And why are context clues important? We’re going to break down context clues in sentences and situations so that you can see why they’re such an important element of empiricism; or how we come to know the world through senses. Hah! That’s an example of “context clues” in action. Follow along as we break down strategies for how they work.

Context Clues Meaning

First, let’s define context clues.

How do we make sense of the world? Through intuition certainly, but through context as well. Context is how we know books can be found in libraries and cold cuts can be found in delis. It’s also how we know words can be understood, even if we lack their definition. This video breaks down how context clues are used to deduce syntax. 

What are Context Clues?  •  Using Context Clues to Figure Out New Words by Khan Academy

Context clues are essential tools for writers, readers, and pretty much anybody interested in making sense of the world. But before we jump into some context clues examples, let’s first define context clues.

CONTEXT CLUES DEFINITION

What are context clues.

Context clues are elements of grammatical and visual composition that suggest meaning. In syntax, context clues give readers the ability to make sense of words of which they don’t know the meaning. In semiotics, context clues give people the ability to make sense of signs of which they don’t know the meaning.

Purpose of Context Clues:

• Suggest meaning
• Conceal meaning
• Explain meaning

Context Clues Types

What are context clues in grammar.

There are a bunch of different strategies for using context clues in grammar; let’s break down a few!

A synonym is a word or phrase that means something similar to another word or phrase. For example, “sick” and “ill” are synonyms. But how do you use context clues in a sentence? Synonyms are also used as context clues to suggest meaning in words that aren’t often understood. 

Here are some examples: 

She was a callous woman: mean, malicious, and inconsiderate.

It was mezzanotte – the clock struck the signal to midnight.

He was cantankerous: angry and always looking for a fight.

You may be wondering, “why don’t writers just use words that most people understand?” Good question. There’s certainly merit to writing in simple language – but writers want to flex their linguistic muscle. 

An antonym is a word or phrase that means the opposite of another word or phrase. For example, “sick” and “healthy” are antonyms. 

Antonyms, like synonyms, are also used as context clues to suggest meaning in words that aren’t often understood. 

It was a brutish afternoon, quite unlike the sunny ones the week prior. 

He found the latter lecture esoteric – but the former too simplistic ; something anybody could understand .

The scene was bedlam , ironic considering it was supposed to be quiet and serene .

Antonyms tend to flow better than synonyms in syntax because they rely on contrast.  

A denotation is a “dictionary definition.” For example, a denotation of “hat” would be a “clothing item worn on the head.” 

Denotations are used as context clues to outwardly explain what certain words mean.

Here are a few examples:

He had already signed an affidavit , a legal written statement for use in court .

It was accidental , as in “ not done on purpose .”

The story was salacious , showing a  special interest in sex .

Denotations work best when writers would rather tell the writer what a word means rather than suggesting it.

Context Clues Definition in Visual Language

What are context clues in semiotics.

Context clues are used in semiotics to give meaning to the visual world. But what is semiotics? Semiotics is the study of objects and signs. It’s essentially what tells us that a four-leaf clover means “good luck.” However, semiotics is often built through context clues. 

Here are some examples:

Context clues lead to a conclusion

In life, sometimes things are exactly what you’d expect. For example, say you leave your rambunctious dog home alone for six hours, then find a ripped-up pillow when you return; it’s fair to say that the dog probably destroyed the pillow.

The context clues, i.e., the “rambunctious” nature of the dog and the implied fact that dogs sometimes rip pillows apart when, tell us that the most likely reason for the event is that the dog destroyed the pillow.

This type of critical reasoning is abductive because it “takes away” the most likely reason for an event based on a series of observations.

Consequently, deductive reasoning is a form of critical reasoning in which a reason must be guaranteed by the set of observations. For example: if a hat is a clothing item worn on a head, and you’re wearing a clothing item on your head, then you’re wearing a hat. The context clues, i.e., the denotation of “hat” and the fact that you’re wearing something that matches the denotation of “hat,” guarantee the validity.

This strategy is used in writing… most commonly in mystery stories. Think about any “whodunnit” story; i.e., Sherlock Holmes , Murder on the Orient Express , Scooby Doo , etc.

In this clip from Murder on the Orient Express , Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney), outlines the context clues that add up to an iconic deduction.

What Does Context Clues Mean?  •  Context Clues in Murder on the Orient Express

It is merely through context clues, such as the language that Mary Debenham (Vanessa Redgrave) used and the selective memory of Colonel Arburthnott (Sean Connery), that Poirot was able to tell that everybody was lying.

Context clues lead to a false-conclusion

Other times, context clues lead to a false-conclusion. They may be valid as premises in a deduction; but they don’t necessarily reflect the truth. We see this strategy used a lot in comedy writing .

This scene from Seinfeld establishes a series of context clues that point to Kramer (Michael Richards) being a pimp. Of course, he’s not – but the characters in the diegesis don’t know that. Check it out below!

Context Clues Definition in TV  •  Context Clues Examples in Seinfeld

Let’s break down the context clues:

1) The jacket is a replica of the “technicolor dreamcoat” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ; one of Kramer’s favorite plays.

2) The cane is an item Elaine was reviewing for work; which Kramer took.

3) The hat merely landed before Kramer’s feet, so he decided to put it on.

4) The sports car is borrowed as collateral because Kramer’s car was taken from a parking lot used for prostitution.

All of these context clues point to Kramer being a pimp. In a cruel twist of irony, Kramer is whisked, or quickly taken away, to jail.

What is Inductive Reasoning?

Context clues are a small, but integral part of critical reasoning. Want to learn more about critical reasoning? Check out our next article on inductive reasoning, where we break down the term with examples from Plato, Monty Python, and more. By the end, you’ll know what inductive reasoning is and how to use it.

Up Next: Inductive Reasoning →

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Module: Rhetorical Reading

Read strategically: context clues, learning objective.

• Identify strategies for using context clues

A context clue is a word or phrase in the same sentence or a nearby sentence that can help the reader decipher the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Context clues consist of all the words and phrases that are near a word. Often, you can define words based on the other words around them. If you’re reading a lot of material, you don’t have time to look up individual words. Reading words in context helps ensure a high level of focus, whereas breaking your concentration to lookup words is distracting.

Take a look at the following hotspot activity. You probably already know these three words, but pay attention to how they function in the passage. If you were to come across a much more difficult reading passage, you could use the same method to define unfamiliar words.

Learn by doing

Context clues can be broken down into six different types, described below. This classification is only one method of thinking about context clues.

• How to Use Context Clues to Define Words. Provided by : Excelsior College. Located at : http://owl.excelsior.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/03/ContextClues.pdf . Project : OWL at Excelsior College. License : CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial

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5.9: Read Strategically: Context Clues

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 59848

Learning Objective

• Identify strategies for using context clues

A context clue is a word or phrase in the same sentence or a nearby sentence that can help the reader decipher the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Context clues consist of all the words and phrases that are near a word. Often, you can define words based on the other words around them. If you’re reading a lot of material, you don’t have time to look up individual words. Reading words in context helps ensure a high level of focus, whereas breaking your concentration to lookup words is distracting.

Take a look at the following hotspot activity. You probably already know these three words, but pay attention to how they function in the passage. If you were to come across a much more difficult reading passage, you could use the same method to define unfamiliar words.

Learn by doing

An interactive or media element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here: http://pb.libretexts.org/wsl/?p=78

Context clues can be broken down into six different types, described below. This classification is only one method of thinking about context clues.

• How to Use Context Clues to Define Words. Provided by : Excelsior College. Located at : http://owl.excelsior.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/03/ContextClues.pdf . Project : OWL at Excelsior College. License : CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

8.6 Using Context Clues

Learning objectives.

• Identify the different types of context clues.
• Practice using context clues while reading.

Context clues  are bits of information within a text that will assist you in deciphering the meaning of unknown words. Since most of your knowledge of vocabulary comes from reading, it is important that you recognize context clues. By becoming more aware of particular words and phrases surrounding a difficult word, you can make logical guesses about its meaning. The following are the different types of context clues:

• Brief definition or restatement
• Synonyms and antonyms

Brief Definition or Restatement

Sometimes a text directly states the definition or a restatement of the unknown word. The brief definition or restatement is signaled by a word or a punctuation mark. Consider the following example:

If you visit Alaska, you will likely see many glaciers, or slow moving masses of ice.

In this sentence, the word glaciers is defined by the phrase that follows the signal word or , which is slow moving masses of ice .

In other instances, the text may restate the meaning of the word in a different way, by using punctuation as a signal. Look at the following example:

Marina was indignant—fuming mad—when she discovered her brother had left for the party without her.

Although fuming mad is not a formal definition of the word indignant , it does serve to define it. These two examples use signals—the word or and the punctuation dashes—to indicate the meaning of the unfamiliar word. Other signals to look for are the words is , as , means , known as , and refers to .

Synonyms and Antonyms

Sometimes a text gives a synonym of the unknown word to signal the meaning of the unfamiliar word:

When you interpret an image, you actively question and examine what the image connotes and suggests.

In this sentence the word suggests is a synonym of the word connotes . The word and sometimes signals synonyms.

Likewise, the word but may signal a contrast, which can help you define a word by its antonym.

I abhor clothes shopping, but I adore grocery shopping.

The word abhor is contrasted with its opposite: adore . From this context, the reader can guess that abhor means to dislike greatly.

Sometimes a text will give you an example of the word that sheds light on its meaning:

I knew Mark’s ailurophobia was in full force because he began trembling and stuttering when he saw my cat, Ludwig, slink out from under the bed.

Although ailurophobia is an unknown word, the sentence gives an example of its effects. Based on this example, a reader could confidently surmise that the word means a fear of cats.

Look for signal words like such as , for instance , and for example . These words signal that a word’s meaning may be revealed through an example.

Identify the context clue that helps define the underlined words in each of the following sentences. Write the context clue on your own sheet of paper.

• Lucinda is very adroit on the balance beam, but Constance is rather clumsy.
• I saw the entomologist , a scientist who studies insects, cradle the giant dung beetle in her palm.
• Lance’s comments about politics were irrelevant and meaningless to the botanist’s lecture on plant reproduction.
• Before I left for my trip to the Czech Republic, I listened to my mother’s sage advice and made a copy of my passport.
• His rancor , or hatred, for socializing resulted in a life of loneliness and boredom.
• Martin was mortified , way beyond embarrassment, when his friends teamed up to shove him into the pool.
• The petulant four-year-old had a baby sister who was, on the contrary, not grouchy at all.
• The philosophy teacher presented the students with several conundrums , or riddles, to solve.
• Most Americans are omnivores , people that eat both plants and animals.
• Elena is effervescent , as excited as a cheerleader, for example, when she meets someone for the first time.

On your own sheet of paper, write the name of the context clue that helps to define the underlined words.

Maggie was a precocious child to say the least. She produced brilliant watercolor paintings by the age of three. At first, her parents were flabbergasted —utterly blown away—by their daughter’s ability, but soon they got used to their little painter. Her preschool teacher said that Maggie’s dexterity , or ease with which she used her hands, was something she had never before seen in such a young child. Little Maggie never gloated or took pride in her paintings; she just smiled contentedly when she finished one and requested her parents give it to someone as a gift. Whenever people met Maggie for the first time they often watched her paint with their mouths agape , but her parents always kept their mouths closed and simply smiled over their “little Monet.”

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

In addition to context clues to help you figure out the meaning of a word, examine the following word parts: prefixes, roots, and suffixes.

Connecting the Pieces: Writing at Work

Jargon a type of shorthand communication often used in the workplace. It is the technical language of a special field. Imagine it is your first time working as a server in a restaurant and your manager tells you he is going to “eighty-six” the roasted chicken. If you do not realize that “eighty-six” means to remove an item from the menu, you could be confused.

When you first start a job, no matter where it may be, you will encounter jargon that will likely be foreign to you. Perhaps after working the job for a short time, you too will feel comfortable enough to use it. When you are first hired, however, jargon can be baffling and make you feel like an outsider. If you cannot decipher the jargon based on the context, it is always a good policy to ask.

Key Takeaways

• Context clues are words or phrases within a text that help clarify vocabulary that is unknown to you.
• There are several types of context clues including brief definition and restatement, synonyms and antonyms, and example.

Writing Application

Write a paragraph describing your first job. In the paragraph, use five words previously unknown to you. These words could be jargon words or you may consult a dictionary or thesaurus to find a new word. Make sure to provide a specific context clue for understanding each word. Exchange papers with a classmate and try to decipher the meaning of the words in each other’s paragraphs based on the context clues.

Putting the Pieces Together Copyright © 2020 by Andrew Stracuzzi and André Cormier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Reading to Understand

• Reading to Understand (8 minutes)
• Reading Comprehension

Example Passage

• Reading Process
• Identifying the Main Idea (5 minutes)
• Academic Reading Challenges (7 minutes)

All readers encounter words they do not know.

The difference is that stronger readers can guess at the meaning of a word based on what surrounds it and then continue along, whereas others get derailed. 

This section should help you feel more confident in making an educated guess about a word based on the context clues.

Context clues  are  hints  about a word's meaning  found nearby.  You might look for context clues in the  same sentence , or in the sentences before  and  after  it. These clues can also be  synonyms  of the challenging word, or even a  brief definition .

In the next passage is the word  attrition . If you were unfamiliar with the word you would look around it to gather any clues about its meaning.

Click on the + near each context clue to learn how we can use that clue to determine the meaning of  attrition . 

We can conclude that attrition likely has to do with workers leaving the workforce. 

If we look up "Attrition" in the dictionary, we find this meaning...

Attrition: "a reduction in numbers usually as a result of resignation, retirement, or death."

Our inference from the context clues was correct!

Examining words like this may seem like a long process.

As you gain more skill in working with context clues, though, you will be able to do it more quickly, perhaps without even realizing it. 

The next time you encounter a word you don't know follow this process before immediately going to the dictionary.

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Reading Skills

Using context clues when reading.

• The Albert Team
• Last Updated On: December 13, 2023

What We Review

Introduction

Understanding context clues is really important for getting better at reading. Sometimes, when you’re reading, you might find words you don’t know. You don’t always have to look them up in a dictionary. You can use context clues instead. These are little hints in the story that help you figure out what those new words mean.

Using context clues doesn’t just help you learn new words; it also helps you understand the story better. In this blog post, we’re going to talk about how to spot these clues and use them well. This way, you’ll have a handy tool to help you with your reading.

What Are Context Clues?

Context clues are hints or pieces of information within a text that help you figure out the meaning of words you might not know. These clues are found in the words, sentences, or paragraphs surrounding the unfamiliar word. They work like subtle guides, pointing you towards understanding without needing to look up every new term.

For instance, if a character in a story is described as ‘taciturn’ and the sentences around it mention that the character speaks very little and often prefers silence, you can infer that ‘taciturn’ relates to being quiet or reserved. Recognizing context clues involves paying attention to the entire context of the passage, not just individual words, enabling you to make educated guesses about word meanings and enhancing your reading comprehension.

Types of Context Clues

Context clues come in various forms, each serving as a unique tool to help decipher the meaning of unknown words. Understanding these types can enhance your ability to read more effectively. In this blog post, we’ll focus on five primary types of context clues: inference, definition, example, antonym, and synonym. A handy acronym to remember these types of context clues is IDEAS.

Each type provides a different way to understand new words based on how they are used in a sentence or a passage. Grasping these types will not only boost your vocabulary but also improve your reading comprehension skills, as you’ll learn how to glean meaning from the context rather than relying solely on external references. Let’s dive into each type and see how they work in practice.

Making Inferences

Inference context clues involve using logical reasoning to figure out a word’s meaning based on the information provided in the text. This type of clue doesn’t spell out the meaning directly but allows you to deduce it from the surrounding details.

For example, if a passage describes a character who “avoided eye contact, fidgeted constantly, and had a habit of mumbling,” you might infer that the character is nervous or anxious, even if those specific words aren’t used. Inferences require you to read between the lines, using your judgment and understanding of the context. The text provides pieces of information, and you use them to form a complete picture of the word’s meaning.

Definition context clues are straightforward: they provide the meaning of the unfamiliar word right within the sentence or in the following sentences. This type is like having a mini-dictionary within the text. Authors may use words such as ‘is,’ ‘means,’ or ‘refers to’ as signals for these definitions.

For instance, read this sentence: “The arid climate, which means dry and lacking in rainfall, made farming difficult . ” The part after the comma directly defines the word ‘arid.’ These clues are particularly helpful because they eliminate the guesswork, clearly explaining what a word means in the context of the sentence. Recognizing these clues can greatly enhance your ability to understand and learn new vocabulary as you read.

Example clues show you what a word means by giving examples. They often start with phrases like ‘such as,’ ‘for example,’ or ‘including.’ These clues are helpful because they show you how a word is used. Take this sentence: “Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars.” The part after ‘such as’ gives examples of ‘celestial bodies.’ It makes it clear that celestial bodies are things like the sun, moon, and stars. This way of using clues is really useful. It gives you actual examples to understand a new word better.

Antonym context clues rely on the presence of a word or phrase that has the opposite meaning of the unfamiliar word. These clues are often signaled by contrast words such as ‘but,’ ‘however,’ or ‘unlike.’ By understanding the meaning of the known word or phrase, you can infer the meaning of the new word.

Read the following sentence: “Unlike the garrulous Karen, who talks incessantly, Mark is quiet and reserved.” The word ‘garrulous’ is contrasted with Mark being ‘quiet and reserved.’ Here, you can infer that ‘garrulous’ means someone who is talkative or chatty. Antonym clues are useful because they highlight the differences in meanings.

Synonym context clues are found when a word or phrase with a similar meaning to the unfamiliar word is used in the sentence or nearby sentences. These synonyms can provide a clear understanding of the new word by presenting a familiar term with a similar meaning. Look for signal words like ‘or,’ ‘that is,’ or ‘in other words.’

For example, in a sentence like, “The trail was arduous, or extremely difficult, winding up the steep mountain,” the phrase ‘extremely difficult’ is a synonym that clarifies the meaning of ‘arduous.’ This type of context clue directly links the new word to a known word or phrase, making it easier to grasp the meaning and expand your vocabulary.

Using Context Clues in “The Story of an Hour”

Now that you have “IDEAS” of the different types of context clues, let’s practice using them!

Read the following excerpt from Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” and pay close attention to context clues:

“When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped her slightly parted lips. She said it over and over under her breath: ‘free, free, free!’ The vacant stare and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright. Her pulses beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body.”

In this excerpt, we will use context clues to determine the meaning of the words “abandoned,” “keen,” and “vacant.”

Inference Clue for “ Abandoned “

The word “abandoned” here implies a release or surrender, as inferred from the protagonist’s actions. She “abandoned herself” just before expressing a sense of freedom. This suggests that ‘abandoned’ means to let go of inhibitions or constraints, leading to a moment of emotional liberation. The word indicates a shift from a state of containment to one of freedom.

Synonym Clue for “Keen”

In this example, the meaning of “keen” is clarified using its synonym, “bright.” The description of her eyes as both “keen and bright” implies that ‘keen’ refers to being sharp and alert. In this context, ‘keen’ suggests a heightened state of awareness, as bright eyes typically indicate liveliness and attentiveness. This shift in her gaze suggests a newfound perception or acute awareness, contrasting with her earlier emotional state.

Antonym Clue for “Vacant”

The phrase “vacant stare and the look of terror” utilizes an antonym clue. The contrast between ‘vacant’ and ‘terror’ implies that ‘vacant’ means without of emotion or expression. This is the opposite of the intense feeling of terror. This transition from a terror-stricken expression to a vacant one signifies a move from a state of emotional distress to one of numb detachment, marking a pivotal moment in her emotional experience

Using context clues and the strategies above, you can determine the meaning of unfamiliar words in any text you read.

Practice Makes Perfect

In our exploration of context clues in “The Story of an Hour,” we’ve seen how interpreting words in their textual setting is a crucial skill for reading comprehension. Whether it’s inferring meanings, understanding synonyms and antonyms, or recognizing direct definitions and examples, context clues significantly enhance our grasp of literature.

If you are looking for more practice with context clues, Albert is here to help! Check out our Short Readings questions about using context clues. Additionally, you can practice using our Words in Context questions in our SAT® Reading and Writing course !

Albert’s rigorous questions and detailed explanations are great for building confidence in all types of essential reading skills. With consistent practice, your ability to interpret and enjoy what you read will steadily improve.

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How to Use hypothesis in a Sentence

• The results of the experiment did not support his hypothesis .
• Their hypothesis is that watching excessive amounts of television reduces a person's ability to concentrate.
• Other chemists rejected his hypothesis .

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypothesis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

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ESL003: Upper-Intermediate English as a Second Language (2020.A.01)

Context clues.

When you read, you use clues to help you figure out what is happening. Synonyms and antonyms are useful as context clues. Recognizing synonyms tells you when something is similar, and recognizing antonyms tells you when something is in contrast. When you don't know a word, use any synonyms or antonyms around it to help you learn its meaning. Read this page on context clues to see how you can use synonyms and antonyms to understand what you read.

No matter what course or program you are taking, you will have new vocabulary and terminology to learn. While many people turn quickly to their dictionaries for the meanings of new words, this is not always a necessary strategy. Instead, it can be more meaningful to try to reason out the meaning of the word, based on what we already know about it.

When authors write, they often give  context clues  to readers to suggest the meanings of new or difficult words. Context clues usually give you a sense of a word's meaning, so you can continue reading without referring to a dictionary. There are five main types of context clues that may be embedded in sentences.

• The author directly defines the new word within the sentence. This strategy is commonly used in textbook material.
• For example: "When people contravene – break or violate – a law in Canada, they can expect to face legal consequences."
• Explanation: "Break or violate" is the definition of the word "contravene".
• The author uses a word or phrase with a similar meaning to suggest the meaning of the new word.
• For example: "Following his death by accidental drug overdose, actor Heath Ledger posthumously received an Oscar for best supporting actor for his portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight."
• Explanation: "Following his death" has a similar meaning to the word "posthumously."
• The author uses a word or phrase with an opposite meaning to suggest the meaning of the new word.
• For example: "I really don't appreciate your duplicity. I expect you to give me an honest response from now on."
• Explanation: "Honest response" has the opposite meaning of "duplicity" since the speaker expects a different behaviour from the other person from that point on.
• The author provides examples or illustrations of the new word to suggest its meaning.
• For example: "Bats, owls, raccoons, and crickets are chiefly nocturnal creatures."
• Explanation: "Bats, owls, raccoons, and crickets" are examples of "nocturnal creatures" (creatures of the night).
• The author provides enough information in a sentence that the word's meaning can be inferred.
• For example: "It would be an egregious mistake to wear a dirty t-shirt and shabby blue jeans to a funeral."
• Explanation: Although "egregious" is not specifically defined, most people would infer that it is inappropriate or offensive to wear worn out clothing at a funeral.

Complete this Exercise

Check your understanding of context clues by identifying the meanings of unknown words in these six sentences.

Definition and Examples of Context Clues

How We Infer Meaning

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

In reading  and listening , a context clue is a form of information (such as a definition , synonym , antonym , or example ) that appears near a word or phrase and offers direct or indirect suggestions about its meaning .

Context clues are more commonly found in nonfiction texts than in fiction, although they are sometimes found in children's literature, often with the goal of building readers' vocabulary. Words can have multiple meanings, so being able to infer the correct definition from context is a valuable reading comprehension skill.

Types of Context Clues

One way to learn new words is through the context of the words around them. We infer the meaning of these words from what's going on or what has already been established in the text. Clues for deciphering a word's meaning can be rendered in the form of anything from a subtle hint to a straight-out explanation, definition, or illustration. Context clues can also take the form of synonyms, antonyms, word-structure clues, comparisons (such as metaphors and similes), and contrasts. For example:

Synonym context clues offer words nearby with the same meaning:

• Synonym: The annual bazaar is scheduled for the last day of school. It's always a fun festival .
• Synonym:  "That charlatan !" he cried. "That absolute fake !"

Antonym context clues offer nearby words with opposite meanings.

• Antonym: "You look pretty content about it, not like you're all bent out of shape at all," he noted.
• Antonym:  "No, no, that didn't literally happen," she said. "I was speaking figuratively ."

Definition context clues just spell out the meaning in a straightforward manner:

• Definition: In Britain, they call the trunk of a car the " boot ."
• Definition: "The lingerie department," she directed the confused customer, "is where you'll find the bras and panties ." 

An explanation or illustration can also show the context of the word:

• Explanation:  She looked at the  random collection  that had been thrown in the packing box at the last minute—from toothpaste and razors to spatulas and sticky notes. "Well, that's quite a  melange , isn't it?" she remarked.
• Explanation:  "No, no, that's just a  crane fly , not a  gigantic mosquito ," he explained.

Word-structure clues are understood in two ways: a reader or listener understands a base word and a prefix (or suffix) and infers the meaning from the combination of the two, or the reader knows a word origin and upon hearing a word of similar origin, infers its meaning.

For instance, if you know that "anti-" means against, it's easy to infer the meaning of the word "anti-establishment."

• Word-structure: The anti-establishment protesters picketed the town hall.

Likewise, if you're aware that a "memorial" is something in remembrance for a person who has died, you might readily intuit the meaning of the following sentence, even if you'd never previously heard the term "in memoriam."

• Word-structure: The book was dedicated in memoriam of his father.

Comparison context clues show the meaning of a word through similarities to other items or elements, similies or metaphors:

• Comparison: He looked absolutely  flummoxed , like a toddler staring down at his feet on the floor who just isn't sure about this whole "walking" thing.
• Comparison:  "No," she said, "I'm as carefree about it as a bird floating among the clouds."

Contrast context clues show meaning through dissimilar elements:

• Contrast:  "It isn't exactly the melee that I expected from your description," he said. "The kids are just roughhousing a little. I expected them to be bruised and bleeding ."
• Contrast: I know she said she could  reconstitute  the dried fruit, but a soggy raisin just isn't a grape .

Limitations of Context Clues

In "The Vocabulary Book: Learning and Instruction," author Michael Graves writes:

"All in all, the descriptive research on learning from context shows that context can produce learning of word meanings and that although the probability of learning a word from a single occurrence is low, the probability of learning a word from context increases substantially with additional occurrences of the word. That is how we typically learn from context. We learn a little from the first encounter with a word and then more and more about a word's meaning as we meet it in new and different contexts."

Learning new words from context alone does have its limitations, as this method is not always definitive. Often, context may give a reader a general idea of a word, but not a full meaning. If the sentences in which an unknown word appears don't clearly spell out it's meaning, that meaning may be lost. For long-term retention, readers need to see a word multiple times. The more often an inferred definition is included, the more likely the reader will retain and understand a new word.

• Graves, Michael F. "The Vocabulary Book: Learning and Instruction." Teachers College Press, 2006
• 4 Types of Context Clues
• What Is a Synonym? Definition and Examples
• English Vocabulary Practice: The Necklace
• What is Antonymy?
• Understanding Vocabulary Words in Context
• Ellipsis: Definition and Examples in Grammar
• What Is World Knowledge (Regarding Language Studies)?
• How to Assess and Teach Reading Comprehension
• Figurative Meaning
• Imply vs. Infer: How to Choose the Right Word
• Conversational Implicature Definition and Examples
• Phonics Based Instruction
• Vocabulary Acquisition
• Teaching Developmental Reading Skills for Targeted Content Focuses
• How to Improve Your Vocabulary
• Cognate: Definition and Examples

30 Context Clues Examples

Context clues are key pieces of information that help a reader understand the meaning of a word without requiring them to look it up in a dictionary (Baumann, Edwards, Boland, Olejnik, & Kame’enui, 2003).

A context clue is typically found within the sentence that you are reading. If a sentence contains an unfamiliar word, there’s a chance the reader will be able to infer the meaning of the word by looking at the surrounding text – or, the surrounding context .

Context Clue Example

Take this sentence: “Teachers use pedagogy (for example, research-backed teaching strategies like differentiation) to help their students learn.” Here, even if you don’t know the word “pedagogy” you can use the context clues in brackets to infer that pedagogy probably means ‘teaching methods’ because some examples and synonyms were provided to help you to understand the concept.

Context Clue Definition

A context clue can be defined as a clue provided within a text that can help readers to infer meaning, even if they don’t understand specific words within the paragraph.

They’re essential in the teaching of reading skills , where teachers specifically model the use of context clues to assist readers in reading for meaning and comprehension.

Context clues are heavily used in the whole language learning approach to teaching reading. While the whole langauge approach is widely seen as inferior to the phonics approach (because children fundamentally need to learn words, their foundations, and how they’re formed), context clues do remain one useful tool for meaning-making that is used by both children and adults when reading texts.

Types of Context Clues

There are several types of context clues:

• Definition/Explanation Clues: As the name suggests, these clues provide a direct definition or explanation of the unfamiliar word in the same sentence (Carnine, Kameenui, & Coyle, 1984). For example, “An arborist, a specialist in the care of trees, was called to inspect the old oak.”
• Synonym Clues: These clues offer a synonym for the unfamiliar word, helping to clarify its meaning (Harmon, Wood, & Hedrick, 2008). For example, “He felt remorse, akin to strong guilt, for his actions.”
• Antonym Clues: These clues provide a contrast to the unfamiliar word, indirectly indicating its meaning (Leung, 1992). For example, “Unlike the arduous journey yesterday, today’s was quite easy.”
• Inference Clues: These clues require readers to infer the meaning of the word based on the broader context (Kuhn & Stahl, 1998). For example, “With her panache for singing, everyone gave her a standing ovation.”
• Example Clues: These clues provide examples or instances that help define the unfamiliar word (Baumann, Edwards, Boland, Olejnik, & Kame’enui, 2003). For example, “Various types of insects, like bees, flies, and beetles, were observed.”
• Image Clues: An image clue tends to be present in children’s books, where the text is associated with an image that can help readers to infer meaning by scanning across from the text to the image, which will illustrate what is in the writing. They’re also present in data-based texts, with tables and graphs helping to present the information in non-textual form.

Examples of Context Clues

Definition/explanation clues.

Example 1 “Her entrepreneurial spirit, a tendency to start and run businesses, was evident from her lemonade stand.” In this sentence, the phrase “a tendency to start and run businesses” is defining the term “entrepreneurial spirit”.

Example 2 “The town’s cathedral, a large, important church, was built in the 14th century.” Here, “a large, important church” is directly explaining what a “cathedral” is.

Example 3 “A philanthropist, someone who seeks to promote the welfare of others, donated a large sum of money to the hospital.” The phrase “someone who seeks to promote the welfare of others” is defining the term “philanthropist”.

Example 4 “The flora of the region, meaning the plant life, is incredibly diverse.” Here, “meaning the plant life” is providing the definition of “flora”.

Example 5 “The letter was terse, brief and to the point, and left no room for argument.” The phrase “brief and to the point” is providing a definition for “terse”.

Example 6 “Her idiosyncrasies, those unique habits and quirks that everyone has, made her a memorable character.” In this sentence, “those unique habits and quirks that everyone has” is defining the term “idiosyncrasies”.

Synonym Clues

Example 1 “The student’s answer was erroneous, or incorrect.” The word “incorrect” is a synonym for “erroneous”, providing a clue to its meaning.

Example 2 “The landscape was desolate, barren of any plant or animal life.” Here, “barren” is a synonym for “desolate”.

Example 3 “Her decision was prudent, or wise, considering the circumstances.” “Wise” is a synonym for “prudent”.

Example 4 “The noise was incessant, unending throughout the night.” “Unending” is a synonym for “incessant”.

Example 5 “His answer was ambiguous, or unclear, leading to confusion.” “Unclear” is a synonym for “ambiguous”.

Example 6 “The forest was verdant, or green with lush vegetation.” The word “green with lush vegetation” is a synonym for “verdant”, providing a clue to its meaning.

Antonym Clues

Example 1 “Unlike her garrulous brother, Jane was always quiet.” “Quiet” is an antonym for “garrulous”, so you can infer that “garrulous” means talkative or wordy.

Example 2 “Despite the arid desert, the oasis was lush and green.” “Lush and green” contrasts with “arid”, so you can infer that “arid” means dry.

Example 3 “Unlike the complex puzzle, the solution was simple.” “Simple” is an antonym for “complex”, helping you understand that “complex” means something not simple, or complicated.

Example 4 “In contrast to the benevolent king, the dictator was cruel and oppressive.” “Cruel and oppressive” is the opposite of “benevolent”, indicating that “benevolent” means kind or generous.

Example 5 “While the sun is scorching in the desert, the polar regions are frigid.” “Frigid” is the opposite of “scorching”, so “frigid” means extremely cold.

Example 6 “Due to her philanthropy, she was well-known for her generous donations to charity.” The mention of generous donations to charity lets you infer that “philanthropy” means the desire to promote the welfare of others, typically through the donation of money.

Inference Clues

Example 1 “Given the number of webs, it was clear the barn was infested with arachnids.” The presence of many webs lets you infer that “arachnids” refers to spiders or similar creatures.

Example 2 “The debutante graced the ballroom with her elegance, leaving the crowd in awe.” From the crowd’s awe and the context of a ballroom, you can infer that a “debutante” is a young woman making a formal debut in society.

Example 3 “He mused about the problem, leading his friends to realize he was deep in thought.” The fact that he’s deep in thought lets you infer that “mused” means to contemplate or ponder.

Example 4 “John, an infamous gambler, lost a fortune at the poker table.” The loss of a fortune at poker allows you to infer that “infamous” means well-known for some bad quality or deed.

Example 5 “The audience was enthralled by the magician’s prestidigitation.” Given that a magician is performing, you can infer “prestidigitation” involves sleight of hand or magic tricks.

Example Clues

Example 1 “There are many different arthropods, such as spiders, crabs, and beetles.” The examples of spiders, crabs, and beetles let you infer that “arthropods” are a type of animal with jointed limbs.

Example 2 “She excelled in the arts, painting, drawing, and sculpting with great skill.” Painting, drawing, and sculpting are given as examples of “the arts”, helping you understand what the term encompasses.

Example 3 “Her collection of antiquities included artifacts like pottery, coins, and jewelry from ancient civilizations.” Pottery, coins, and jewelry from ancient civilizations are examples of “antiquities”, providing a clue to the term’s meaning.

Example 4 “Many forms of precipitation, such as rain, snow, and hail, contribute to the water cycle.” Rain, snow, and hail are examples of “precipitation”, giving a clue to what the term means.

Example 5 “He enjoyed many different genres of music, including rock, jazz, and classical.” Rock, jazz, and classical are examples of “genres”, helping you understand the term refers to categories or types.

Example 6 “There were several types of gymnosperms in the park, such as pines, firs, and spruces.” Pines, firs, and spruces are examples of “gymnosperms”, providing a clue to the term’s meaning.

Limitations of Context Clues

While context clues are useful for understanding unfamiliar words, they do have some important limitations, which means teachers still need to teach phonics-based learning.

For example, context clues are not always present. In these cases, readers need to be able to find other ways to obtain meaning (such as using a good old dictionary!)

Furthermore, there tends to be ambiguity within context clues, especially when the authors’ writing is vague. This may lead to multiple possible meanings that could be inferred from surrounding context, causing confusion.

Phonics advocates are also quick to point out key limitations of over-reliance on context clues, such as the fact that this approach relies on guesswork, whereas a phonics approach relies on a more systematic approach to reading texts (Adams, 1990; National Reading Panel, 2000).

Furthermore, phonics advocates may argue that over-reliance on context clues may lead to the development of incorrect reading habits, where readers develop a habit of skipping over difficult words instead of trying to read and understand them.

This approach could hinder vocabulary development (Stanovich, 1986).

Context clues are used every day when reading texts – especially when we read texts with unfamiliar lexicon. By teaching students how to use context clues, we can help them to read for meaning and understanding; but this isn’t without is limitations, listed above.

Interestingly, I’ve been both a kindergarten professor and postdoctoral disserration supervisor, and on both ends of the educational spectrum, I’m constantly helping my students learn through context clues – you’re never too smart for this meaning-making method!

Adams, M. J. (1990). Beginning to read: Thinking and learning about print. Mass: MIT press.

Baumann, J. F., Edwards, E. C., Boland, E. M., Olejnik, S., & Kame’enui, E. J. (2003). Vocabulary tricks: Effects of instruction in morphology and context on fifth-grade students’ ability to derive and infer word meanings. American Educational Research Journal, 40 (2), 447-494. doi: https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312040002447

Baumann, J. F., Edwards, E. C., Boland, E. M., Olejnik, S., & Kame’enui, E. J. (2003). Vocabulary tricks: Effects of instruction in morphology and context on fifth-grade students’ ability to derive and infer word meanings. American Educational Research Journal, 40 (2), 447-494.

Carnine, D., Kameenui, E. J., & Coyle, G. (1984). Utilization of contextual information in determining the meaning of unfamiliar words. Reading Research Quarterly, 19 , 188–204. doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/747362

Ehri, L. C. (2005). Development of sight word reading: Phases and findings. In M. Snowling & C. Hulme (Eds.), The science of reading: A handbook (pp. 135–154). Blackwell.

Harmon, J. M., Wood, K. D., & Hedrick, W. B. (2008). Vocabulary instruction in middle schools. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 52 (3), 243-253.

Kuhn, M. R., & Stahl, S. A. (1998). Teaching children to learn word meanings from context: A synthesis and some questions. Journal of Literacy Research, 30 (1), 119-138.

Leung, C. S. (1992). Effects of word-related variables on vocabulary growth through repeated read-aloud events. In C. K. Kinzer & D. J. Leu (Eds.), Literacy research, theory, and practice: Views from many perspectives (41st Yearbook of the National Reading Conference, pp. 491–498). Chicago, IL: National Reading Conference.

Nagy, W. E., Herman, P. A., & Anderson, R. C. (1985). Learning words from context. Reading Research Quarterly, 20 (2), 233-253. doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/747758

National Reading Panel (US), & National Institute of Child Health, & Human Development (US). (2000). Report of the National Reading Panel: Teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific research literature on reading and its implications for reading instruction: Reports of the subgroups . National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health.

Stanovich, K. E. (1986). Matthew effects in reading: Some consequences of individual differences in the acquisition of literacy. Reading Research Quarterly, 21 (4), 360-407. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022057409189001-204

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

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4.6 Using Context Clues

Learning objectives.

• Identify the different types of context clues.
• Practice using context clues while reading.

Context clues are bits of information within a text that will assist you in deciphering the meaning of unknown words. Since most of your knowledge of vocabulary comes from reading, it is important that you recognize context clues. By becoming more aware of particular words and phrases surrounding a difficult word, you can make logical guesses about its meaning. The following are the different types of context clues:

• Brief definition or restatement
• Synonyms and antonyms

Brief Definition or Restatement

Sometimes a text directly states the definition or a restatement of the unknown word. The brief definition or restatement is signaled by a word or a punctuation mark. Consider the following example:

If you visit Alaska, you will likely see many glaciers, or slow moving masses of ice.

In this sentence, the word glaciers is defined by the phrase that follows the signal word or , which is slow moving masses of ice .

In other instances, the text may restate the meaning of the word in a different way, by using punctuation as a signal. Look at the following example:

Marina was indignant—fuming mad—when she discovered her brother had left for the party without her.

Although fuming mad is not a formal definition of the word indignant , it does serve to define it. These two examples use signals—the word or and the punctuation dashes—to indicate the meaning of the unfamiliar word. Other signals to look for are the words is , as , means , known as , and refers to .

Synonyms and Antonyms

Sometimes a text gives a synonym of the unknown word to signal the meaning of the unfamiliar word:

When you interpret an image, you actively question and examine what the image connotes and suggests.

In this sentence the word suggests is a synonym of the word connotes . The word and sometimes signals synonyms.

Likewise, the word but may signal a contrast, which can help you define a word by its antonym.

I abhor clothes shopping, but I adore grocery shopping.

The word abhor is contrasted with its opposite: adore . From this context, the reader can guess that abhor means to dislike greatly.

Sometimes a text will give you an example of the word that sheds light on its meaning:

I knew Mark’s ailurophobia was in full force because he began trembling and stuttering when he saw my cat, Ludwig, slink out from under the bed.

Although ailurophobia is an unknown word, the sentence gives an example of its effects. Based on this example, a reader could confidently surmise that the word means a fear of cats.

Look for signal words like such as , for instance , and for example . These words signal that a word’s meaning may be revealed through an example.

Identify the context clue that helps define the underlined words in each of the following sentences. Write the context clue on your own sheet of paper.

• Lucinda is very adroit on the balance beam, but Constance is rather clumsy.
• I saw the entomologist , a scientist who studies insects, cradle the giant dung beetle in her palm.
• Lance’s comments about politics were irrelevant and meaningless to the botanist’s lecture on plant reproduction.
• Before I left for my trip to the Czech Republic, I listened to my mother’s sage advice and made a copy of my passport.
• His rancor , or hatred, for socializing resulted in a life of loneliness and boredom.
• Martin was mortified , way beyond embarrassment, when his friends teamed up to shove him into the pool.
• The petulant four-year-old had a baby sister who was, on the contrary, not grouchy at all.
• The philosophy teacher presented the students with several conundrums , or riddles, to solve.
• Most Americans are omnivores , people that eat both plants and animals.
• Elena is effervescent , as excited as a cheerleader, for example, when she meets someone for the first time.

On your own sheet of paper, write the name of the context clue that helps to define the underlined words.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

In addition to context clues to help you figure out the meaning of a word, examine the following word parts: prefixes, roots, and suffixes.

Writing at Work

Jargon a type of shorthand communication often used in the workplace. It is the technical language of a special field. Imagine it is your first time working as a server in a restaurant and your manager tells you he is going to “eighty-six” the roasted chicken. If you do not realize that “eighty-six” means to remove an item from the menu, you could be confused.

When you first start a job, no matter where it may be, you will encounter jargon that will likely be foreign to you. Perhaps after working the job for a short time, you too will feel comfortable enough to use it. When you are first hired, however, jargon can be baffling and make you feel like an outsider. If you cannot decipher the jargon based on the context, it is always a good policy to ask.

Key Takeaways

• Context clues are words or phrases within a text that help clarify vocabulary that is unknown to you.
• There are several types of context clues including brief definition and restatement, synonyms and antonyms, and example.

Writing Application

Write a paragraph describing your first job. In the paragraph, use five words previously unknown to you. These words could be jargon words or you may consult a dictionary or thesaurus to find a new word. Make sure to provide a specific context clue for understanding each word. Exchange papers with a classmate and try to decipher the meaning of the words in each other’s paragraphs based on the context clues.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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When you encounter a vocabulary word with which you are unfamiliar, what do you do? Use the context clues to determine the word's meaning. In addition to the great context clues worksheets on this page, check out this free context clues game that I made. Students learn hundreds of challenging vocabulary words while playing a fun climbing game.

I used the context clues worksheets on this page to help my students in the classroom. I am sharing them with you in the hopes that they will help you as well. The words have been selected from texts recommended by Common Core. These context clues worksheets have been divided into three levels:

• Level 1 - 3rd-6th Grade Vocabulary Words
• Level 2 - 5th-8th Grade Vocabulary Words
• Level 3 - 8th-12th Grade Vocabulary Words

These are the easiest context clues worksheets. These worksheets were designed to help struggling students or students in lower grades. They were written to help students reading at a 3rd to 6th grade reading level . Be sure to preview all materials before using them in your classroom.

Level Three

What are Context Clues?

Context clues are hints in the sentence that help good readers figure out the meanings of unfamiliar words. When we look at the "context" of a word, we look at how it is being used. Based on how these words are used, and on our knowledge of the other words in the sentence, we make an educated prediction as to what the challenging vocabulary word may mean.

Example of Using Context Clues

Examine these lines from Lewis Carroll's poem, "Jabberwocky":

Jubjub , frumious , and Bandersnatch were NOT words before Carroll coined them. Yet readers are able to get meaning from them based on how the words are used. A reading of the whole poem is helpful way to introduce context clues to your students.

Free Context Clues Video Game

Context Clues Common Core State Standards

151 Comments

Carl anthony peterson.

Excellent worksheet/resources to use to help your young person build and increase their vocabulary. Thank you sharing!

Trevina Gima

Coming from a country where english is our third or 4th language but its also our language of instruction

YOUR MATERIALS HERE ARE AWSOME

I REALLY THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE BEAUTIFUL MATERIALS

TREVINA GIMA

Juleby S. Reyes

I would like to express my warmest gratitude for these worksheets. It helps us educators to intensify the skills of students in reading comprehension through context clues. Thank you! God Bless and More Power!

thank you so much. These worksheets are helpful.

you are very generous to have share this very helpful to me as

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Computer Science > Computation and Language

Title: truth-value judgment in language models: belief directions are context sensitive.

Abstract: Recent work has demonstrated that the latent spaces of large language models (LLMs) contain directions predictive of the truth of sentences. Multiple methods recover such directions and build probes that are described as getting at a model's "knowledge" or "beliefs". We investigate this phenomenon, looking closely at the impact of context on the probes. Our experiments establish where in the LLM the probe's predictions can be described as being conditional on the preceding (related) sentences. Specifically, we quantify the responsiveness of the probes to the presence of (negated) supporting and contradicting sentences, and score the probes on their consistency. We also perform a causal intervention experiment, investigating whether moving the representation of a premise along these belief directions influences the position of the hypothesis along that same direction. We find that the probes we test are generally context sensitive, but that contexts which should not affect the truth often still impact the probe outputs. Our experiments show that the type of errors depend on the layer, the (type of) model, and the kind of data. Finally, our results suggest that belief directions are (one of the) causal mediators in the inference process that incorporates in-context information.

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