essay about 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.

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 2: Reading Strategies

Using context clues, learning objective.

Identify strategies for using context clues to define words

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 look up words is distracting.

What is Jabberwocky?

You may be familiar with the poem “Jabberwocky,” by Lewis Carroll, written in 1871. Take a look at it here. As you read, or listen to the audio version, consider: how do you know what it means?

“ Jabberwocky ” ‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. “Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!” He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought— So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood awhile in thought. And as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! and through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back. “And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” He chortled in his joy. ‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe.

Let’s we share the experience with Alice (of Alice in Wonderland fame) after she reads it: “It seems very pretty,” she said when she had finished it, “but it’s rather hard to understand!” (You see she didn’t like to confess, even to herself, that she couldn’t make it out at all.) “Somehow it seems to fill my head with ideas—only I don’t exactly know what they are! However, somebody killed something: that’s clear, at any rate.”

Even though Lewis Carroll invented many of the words of the poem, we still are able to get a clear sense of the action and adventure in it. There are enough clues around the words, and in the words themselves, for us to envision meaning.

Approaching any new set of vocabulary can be something like reading “Jabberwocky” for the first time. By using context clues, analyzing the structure of the word, and breaking out the trusty dictionary, you’ll soon be master of a whole new range of thoughts—and the words appropriate to express them.

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.

Context clues can be broken down into six different types.

Let’s look at a few more examples:

The author directly defines the new word within the sentence. This strategy is commonly used in textbook material.
e.g. “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.
e.g. “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.
e.g. “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 behavior from the other person from that point on.
The author provides examples or illustrations of the new word to suggest its meaning.
e.g. “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.
e.g. “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.

link to Learning

For additional practice using context clues to understand new vocabulary, try these activities from Lethbridge College.

context clue: a word or phrase surrounding an unfamiliar word that can help the reader decipher its meaning

Modification, adaptation, and original content. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
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: Attribution
Jabberwocky By Lewis Carroll - Read by Benedict Cumberbatch. Authored by : Morien Jones. Located at : https://youtu.be/Q_Um3787fSY . License : All Rights Reserved . License Terms : Standard YouTube License
Jabberwocky. Authored by : Lewis Carroll. Located at : http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12/12-h/12-h.htm . Project : Through the Looking Glass. License : Public Domain: No Known Copyright

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146 Using Context Clues

[Author removed at request of original publisher]

Learning Objectives

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

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.

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

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 What Matters Copyright © 2020 by [Author removed at request of original publisher] is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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13.4 – Using Context Clues

Learning objectives.

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

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 Baffin Island, 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.

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 Canadians 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 following words:

flabbergasted

Imani 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 Imani’s dexterity , or ease with which she used her hands, was something she had never before seen in such a young child. Little Imani 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 Imani 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.

Writing at Work

Jargon is 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.

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

Attribution & references.

Except where otherwise noted, this chapter is adapted from “ 4.6 Using Context Clues ” In Writing for Success by University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 .

Communication Essentials for College Copyright © 2022 by Jen Booth, Emily Cramer & Amanda Quibell, Georgian College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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19.6: Using Context Clues

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Learning Objectives

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

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.

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.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

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.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

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.

Writing at Work

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

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
26 Common Suffixes in English (With Examples)
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
Phonics Based Instruction
Imply vs. Infer: How to Choose the Right Word
Conversational Implicature Definition and Examples
Vocabulary Acquisition
Cognate: Definition and Examples
Teaching Developmental Reading Skills for Targeted Content Focuses

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The Complete Guide to Context Clues Lessons

By Mary Montero

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This FREE context clues guide includes a ton of ideas, context clues lessons, essential skills, book list, free activities, and more!

Context clues are so important. Acquiring strong vocabulary skills and utilizing those skills in a way that supports reading is critical for students’ reading success. I compiled a ton of ideas, an introductory lesson, essential skills, book list, freebies and more into one gigantic (and FREE!) PDF Guide to help you plan your context clues lessons. This massive freebie is 13 pages long and includes context clues anchor charts, a context clues choice board, picture activity, reading passage, and more.

Download Everything You Need– for free!

This free PDF guide will allow you to have all of the context clues resources right at your fingertips.

Context Clues Standards

Although standards differ from state to state and overlap between grade levels, there are several key skills and outcomes that are expected from students. Here they are, broken down by grade level.

Standards and Skills – Vocabulary Acquisition and Use : Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, using a variety of strategies.

Teacher Tip: Use these standards for vertical alignment and differentiation. For example, if I’m teaching gifted 3rd graders, not only do I dive more deeply into grade level standards, but I look at the next grade level standard to accelerate their learning as well.

3rd Grade Expectations:

Use sentence-level context
Use knowledge of affixes to determine the meaning of words
Use root words to determine the meaning of words
Use glossaries or dictionaries to select appropriate meaning of words

4th Grade Expectations:

Definitions
Restatements
Use Greek and Latin affixes and roots to determine the meaning of words
Use glossaries, dictionaries, and thesaurus to determine precise meaning of words

5th Grade Expectations:

Cause/Effect Relationships
Comparisons in Text

Lesson Introduction

Context clues suggested introduction lesson: 3rd-5th grade, 1. introduction and hook.

Watch this short and sweet video to introduce the concept of context clues . Stop it at the 12 second mark and ask your students what they would do if they were the boy with the soda can. Let them explain their answers, but don’t give any more information. Finish watching the video, which addresses the term “rupture” and context clues.

2. Sentence Strip Intro

Next, I move on to introducing four different types of sentence or paragraph level context clues. I have eight sentences that I write out on sentence strips. (Source Note: These sentences came from various sources years ago!) There are two sentences for each type of context clue I teach (definition, example, antonym, and synonym). I put magnets on the back of them, and we talk about the word and the clue that we are using to understand its meaning. I try to get my students to come to a natural conclusion about the clues rather than just telling them this is an example clue or an antonym clue. I don’t put up the header for each until we have had a chance to discuss.

3. Anchor Chart

At this point, we stop and make an anchor chart and/or notebook entry together to use as a reference tool from this point forward.

4. Informational Text

Sometimes I have to actively remind myself how important it is for students to work with both informational and fiction texts! This is where my Context Clues Flipbook comes in handy! Now that we have started to practice these skills on a sentence-level, we move on to longer paragraphs. We typically work through one or two pages/skills each day as they become more comfortable with using these different types of clues.

context clues mini lessons flipbook upper elementary

5. Anchor Chart 2

At this point, we start keeping track of all of our skills and strategies on our second context clues anchor chart. We add to it throughout our unit and then keep it up all year as a reminder of different strategies we can use. Other strategies to consider including are: Inference and Restatement.

6. Word Study

If you teach grades 4 or 5, this is when I start to incorporate prefixes, suffixes, and roots into my context clues instruction. Of course, we spend a lot of time teaching these skills throughout the year, but I do intentionally teach this as a context clues skill during our unit.

7. Practice, Practice, Practice

I incorporate a ton of different practice into our literacy centers over the next couple of weeks. I also tend to do at least one or two more lessons in small groups to really hone student understanding of skills. During this time, I highly recommend that you complete Using Pictures to Teach Reading Skills and the Rapid Read and Review Context Clues, both of which are included for FREE below.

More Ways to Expose Students to Context Clues Skills

It is vital that students have the opportunity to examine skills in a variety of ways. I have compiled a list of ways to work with context clues vocabulary skills throughout the year. You can find this (and so much more!) as part of the free PDF download.

Context Clues Book List

Teacher Tip: Pull specific sentences out of each book to use as mentor sentences. Then dissect them, not only for context clues but for parts of speech and grammar mechanics. I have included a sample sentence or two from each book that you can use to practice different types of context clues.

I also created an Amazon Affiliate List of my favorite context clues books . The free PDF includes activity suggestions to use with each book to make planning your context clues lessons easier!

Context Clues Enrichment and Practice Activities

Authentic Texts: Pull a page from your current read aloud or one of the books above. I have also included one from A Dog’s Life in the blog post linked below. Make sure you select a page that includes several words that most students will not know the meaning of. Then walk through each unknown word and point back to the clues that help them identify the meaning. This seems simple, but pulling words out of familiar texts to demonstrate to students how often they gloss over a word they don’t REALLY know the meaning of is so eye-opening!

Context Clues Paired Passages: I am all about incorporating paired passages into specific skill instruction! These Paired Passages help students draw connections between multiple texts while still practicing important skills.

Candy Clues: Candy Clues is the most engaging activity ever! I I make one of these for my dad each year, and at the end of the year for my students. Basically, you write out a story with blanks. A candy name is used to fill in the blank. For example, I did one for my students at the end of the year this year. Here’s what it said, with the candy names filled in.

Seasonal Brush Ups: I am a huge proponent of spiral review, and of course, context clues is a skill that you have to keep coming back to. I use these fun context clues center activities throughout the year to keep students explicitly practicing their skills.

There are many more ideas in the free PDF!

Related Resources

Context Clue Bundle
Using Pics to Teach
Rapid Read and Review
Reading Skill Choice Boards
Printable Anchor Charts

Mary Montero

I’m so glad you are here. I’m a current gifted and talented teacher in a small town in Colorado, and I’ve been in education since 2009. My passion (other than my family and cookies) is for making teachers’ lives easier and classrooms more engaging.

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What Are Context Clues?

When you come across an unfamiliar word while reading, how do you try to understand its meaning? Chances are you use context clues —even if you’ve never heard of that term.

Faced with a sea of unfamiliar words, beginning readers learn many techniques for decoding words and expanding their vocabularies. Teachers use the term decoding to refer to the ability to see a written word and read it aloud.

Looking for context clues is one technique that is helpful for readers of all ages and experience levels. But how can you identify a context clue?

What are context clues?

The term context clues is used as a way of referring to the bits of information within a text that can serve as hints to help a reader understand the meaning of an unfamiliar or unusual word or passage. In effect, context clues can be anything that helps you to figure out or guess the meaning of a word or passage when you’re unsure of its meaning. Context clues can be part of the same sentence or they may be part of the text that comes before or follows. Because most of our vocabulary is gained through reading, it is important that we are able to recognize and take advantage of context clues.

WATCH: Words Bookworms Mispronounce Because We Read Them First

What does a context clue look like.

There are at least four kinds of context clues that are quite common:

Synonym (or repeat context clue ): An author will use more than one word that means the same thing. For example, there may be a complex word followed by a restatement using a simpler word in the same or following sentence: Felipe is a miser . He’s always been a cheapskate .
Antonym (or contrast context clue ): The text may include a word or words that have the opposite meaning, which can reveal the meaning of an unknown term: Stella has always dressed flamboyantly . I’ve never seen her wear a dull color.
Explanation (or a definition context clue ): An unknown word is explained within the sentence or in the sentence immediately after: On Friday, we visited the arboretum , a garden dedicated to the exhibition of trees and plants.
Specific example (or an example context clue ): The text provides one or more examples used to define the term: The children were able to observe several crustaceans , including crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.

There may also be word-part context clues in which a common prefix, suffix, or root will suggest at least part of the meaning of a word.

A general sense context clue lets the reader puzzle out a word meaning from whatever information is available—and this is the most common kind of context clue . The relationships between words are not directly obvious and instead implied.

Others describe context clues in three ways:

semantic or meaning clues : For example, when reading a story about cats, the reader will have the expectation that it will contain words associated with cats.
syntactic or word order clues : The order of the words in a sentence can indicate what part of speech a missing word must be (for example, a verb).
picture clues : From an early age, beginning readers are taught to look at illustrations to help with the identification of a word.

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30 Context Clues Examples

context clues examples and definition, explained below

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

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/ 15 Self-Actualization Examples (Maslow's Hierarchy)
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Forest Schools Philosophy & Curriculum, Explained!
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Montessori's 4 Planes of Development, Explained!
Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Montessori vs Reggio Emilia vs Steiner-Waldorf vs Froebel

4.6 Using Context Clues

Learning objectives.

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

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.

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

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

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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Unit 3: College Level Critical Thinking and Reading

Chapter 16: Context Clues and Close Reading for Literature

Phyllis Nissila

Context Clues

Besides clues to help you determine the pattern or genre of a reading selection, there are clues to help you figure out the meaning of specific words that are unfamiliar to you. Here are the five (or six) most common:

Definition/Explanation Clues : sometimes the meaning of a word or phrase is given right after its use. Example: Taxidermy, the art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals (especially vertebrates) for display or for other sources of study, is popular among museum curators.
Restatement/Synonym Clues : sometimes a word is presented in a simpler way. Example: Stuffing dead animals has been a dream of Stedman Nimblebody, author of Taxidermy Through the Ages, ever since his pet snake died when Steddie was six years old. He still misses Mr. Scaly Face.
Contrast/Antonym Clues : sometimes the meaning of a word is clarified by presenting a word or phrase opposite of its meaning. Example: Little Steddie wanted to visit the Taxidermy Museum but the rest of the family preferred a trip to the Zoo to see live animals.
Inference/General Context Clues : sometimes the meaning of a word or phrase is in the surrounding sentences, or must be inferred or implied by the general meaning of a selection. Example: When Steddie finally got the chance to visit the Taxidermy Museum, he was very excited. He even found a stuffed snake that looked exactly like Mr. Scaly Face! “Just think,” he exclaimed to his parents, “If Mr. Scaly Face was stuffed, I could still tease the cat and the dog with him!”
Punctuation : the correct use of punctuation helps a reader get the meaning of a term, phrase, or thought. Likewise, incorrectly placed or missing punctuation sometimes gives an entirely different and incorrect meaning across. Example: Missing punctuation: Is it time to eat Grandma? Corrected: Is it time to eat, Grandma?
Figurative Language : sometimes the meaning of a word or phrase is given beyond their literal definitions (simile, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and idiom). Example: Steddie learned how to clean, skin, position, and mount his dead pet snake to look lifelike, he has also tried to shape and understand his own past, even if it, too, is dead

Close Reading

In addition to using reading comprehension skills such as predicting, visualizing, “talking to the text,” skimming a textbook before reading, and noting context clues, another strategy called “close reading” is helpful. This is popular with literature professors, however the skills involved in close reading are applicable to any complex reading assignment.

Since this kind of comprehension starts with knowing nothing about the elements of a story, novel, poem, or essay, I stand with my arms spread wide. The metaphor of the arms spread wide demonstrates a broad, general inquiry into the topic. The mind, at this stage, is open, like the arms.

I then discuss, briefly, each element of a work starting with the title as a place to begin comprehension. As the details of the story become more clear and more specific, I slowly moving my arms toward one another, a few inches per element. This indicates a narrowing of inquiry, a closer, more specific look at different parts of a text.

Titles, for starters, particularly of non-fiction works, usually tell you precisely what the main idea, or thesis, is. For example, a book about “The History of the Roman Empire” usually gives you just that–the history of the Roman Empire.

This is not usually true, however, for works of fiction, for which inference is the key to comprehension. For example, “Story of an Hour,” by Kate Chopin, while it might seem to be something about time, also suggests it is about something other than a clock ticking away seconds and minutes, and indeed it is.

I next add the author, as this might aid comprehension. For example, most students are familiar with Stephen King, who writes in the horror genre. Knowing this element brings the arms in a bit closer as the reader will know to anticipate (and predict) a horror story with a lot of plot twists and turns in some horrible ways. Prediction has begun.

Next, I briefly discuss how knowing about the remaining elements – plot, characters, and setting – help the reader close in on meaning enough to be able to discuss the theme or themes of the work with reasonable evidence to support one’s conclusion.

This visual of the arms getting closer together can continue through a discussion of close reading of small passages, individual sentences, and even specific words. Indeed, you could envision holding a word or a passage between your fingers here. Each level of careful attention and thought helps a reader “read between the lines” when meaning is not overtly stated, when themes are inferred rather than explained outright.

Licenses and Attributions:

CC licensed content, previously shared:

Nissila, Phyllis. How to Learn Like a Pro! Open Oregon Educational Resources, 2016. Located at: https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/collegereading/chapter/lesson-3-3-patterns-and-context-clues/ and https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/collegereading/chapter/lesson-3-4-close-reading-for-literature/ License: CC-BY Attribution.

Adaptions: Changed formatting, Changed title of chapter to Context Clues and Close Reading for Literature, combined chapter with content from Close Reading for Literature, removed Patterns content and exercise.

“Books” image by Wokandapix is in the Public Domain, CC0

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Chapter 25: Context Clues and Close Reading for Literature

Phyllis Nissila

Context Clues

Definition/Explanation Clues : sometimes the meaning of a word or phrase is given right after its use. Example: Taxidermy, the art of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals (especially vertebrates) for display or for other sources of study, is popular among museum curators.
Restatement/Synonym Clues : sometimes a word is presented in a simpler way. Example: Stuffing dead animals has been a dream of Stedman Nimblebody, author of Taxidermy Through the Ages, ever since his pet snake died when Steddie was six years old. He still misses Mr. Scaly Face.
Contrast/Antonym Clues : sometimes the meaning of a word is clarified by presenting a word or phrase opposite of its meaning. Example: Little Steddie wanted to visit the Taxidermy Museum but the rest of the family preferred a trip to the Zoo to see live animals.
Inference/General Context Clues : sometimes the meaning of a word or phrase is in the surrounding sentences, or must be inferred or implied by the general meaning of a selection. Example: When Steddie finally got the chance to visit the Taxidermy Museum, he was very excited. He even found a stuffed snake that looked exactly like Mr. Scaly Face! “Just think,” he exclaimed to his parents, “If Mr. Scaly Face was stuffed, I could still tease the cat and the dog with him!”
Punctuation : the correct use of punctuation helps a reader get the meaning of a term, phrase, or thought. Likewise, incorrectly placed or missing punctuation sometimes gives an entirely different and incorrect meaning across. Example: Missing punctuation: Is it time to eat Grandma? Corrected: Is it time to eat, Grandma?

Close Reading

In addition to using reading comprehension skills such as predicting, visualizing, “talking to the text,” skimming a textbook before reading, and noting context clues, another strategy called “close reading” is helpful. This is popular with literature professors; however, the skills involved in close reading are applicable to any complex reading assignment.

Since this kind of comprehension starts with knowing nothing about the elements of a story, novel, poem, or essay, I stand with my arms spread wide.

I then discuss, briefly, each element of a work starting with the title as a place to begin comprehension, while slowly moving my arms toward one another, a few inches per element.

This visual of the arms getting closer together can continue through a discussion of close reading of small passages, individual sentences, and even specific words. Each level of careful attention and thought helps a reader “read between the lines” when meaning is not overtly stated, when themes are inferred rather than explained outright.

Licenses and Attributions:

CC licensed content, previously shared:

“Books” image by Wokandapix is in the Public Domain, CC0

Chapter 25: Context Clues and Close Reading for Literature Copyright © 2021 by Phyllis Nissila is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

18 Using Context Clues

Andrew Stracuzzi and André Cormier

Learning Objectives

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

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.

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.

Connecting the Pieces: Writing at Work

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

Using Context Clues Copyright © 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 Comprehension Worksheets
Inferences Worksheets

Context Clues Worksheets

Theme Worksheets
Main Idea Worksheets
Reading Games
Summary Worksheets
Online Tests
Figurative Language Worksheets
Short Stories with Questions
Nonfiction Passages
Genre Worksheets

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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.

This is a preview image of Context Clues Worksheet 1.1. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.

Level Three

This is a preview image of Context Clues Worksheet 3.1. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.

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

This is a preview image of Context Clues Climber: Vocabulary Video Game. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.

Context Clues Common Core State Standards

This is photo of a young boy wearing a Sherlock Holmes style hat. He is holding a magnifying glass to his eye, as though he is looking for clues.

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

4.6 Using Context Clues

Brief Definition or Restatement

Synonyms and Antonyms

Writing at Work

Key Takeaways

Writing Application

What are Context Clues — Definition, Examples & Purpose

Context Clues Meaning

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

CONTEXT CLUES DEFINITION

Purpose of Context Clues:

Context Clues Types

Context Clues Definition in Visual Language

Context clues lead to a conclusion

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

Context clues lead to a false-conclusion

Context Clues Definition in TV • Context Clues Examples in Seinfeld

What is Inductive Reasoning?

Up Next: Inductive Reasoning →

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Module 2: Reading Strategies

What is Jabberwocky?

link to Learning

146 Using Context Clues

Learning Objectives

Brief Definition or Restatement

Synonyms and Antonyms

Writing at Work

Key Takeaways

Writing Application

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13.4 – Using Context Clues

Brief Definition or Restatement

Synonyms and Antonyms

Writing at Work

Key Takeaways

Writing Application

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Margin Size

19.6: Using Context Clues

Learning Objectives

Brief Definition or Restatement

Synonyms and Antonyms

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Writing at Work

Key Takeaways

Writing Application

Definition and Examples of Context Clues

Types of Context Clues

Limitations of Context Clues

Novels & Picture Books

Anchor Charts

The Complete Guide to Context Clues Lessons

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Context Clues Standards

Standards and Skills – Vocabulary Acquisition and Use : Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, using a variety of strategies.

3rd Grade Expectations:

4th Grade Expectations:

5th Grade Expectations:

Lesson Introduction

2. Sentence Strip Intro

3. Anchor Chart

4. Informational Text

5. Anchor Chart 2

6. Word Study

7. Practice, Practice, Practice

​More Ways to Expose Students to Context Clues Skills

Context Clues Book List

Context Clues Enrichment and Practice Activities

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What Are Context Clues?

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More Ways to Expose Students to Context Clues Skills