CHAPTER - 1

CONTEXTUAL MEANING OF WORDS

We listen to many words while speaking with others. We hear many familiar
words and unfamiliar words. We guess the meaning of unfamiliar words from
the context.

When we read, we come across many words. We feel comfortable with familiar
words. If we come across unfamiliar words while reading, we can guess the
meaning of those words from the context.

• Hence it is called "Contextual Meaning of Words".

• No word is independent when we use them in a sentence.

• To know a word really, we must be able to use it in context.

Other words throw a light on the meaning of a new word to some extent. It is
our duty to check whether our guess is right or not from the dictionary.

most difficult words in English and their meaning

1. Boulevard

2. Hegemony
3. Ameliorate

4. Debauch

5. Stalwart

6. Twaddle

7. Reek

8. Regent

9. knell

10. Mauve

11. Disparate

12. Ostentatious

13. Laconic

14. Travesty

15. Inebriated

16. Languid

17. Poise

18. Anachronistic

19. Circumlocution

20. Iconoclast

21. Quintessence

22. Obdurate

23. Vociferous

24. Beguile

25. Ascetic
26. Abnegation

27. Palpitated

28. Inert

29. Pervert

30. Vilify

31. Murky

32. Exorcise

33. Fracas

34. Filigree

35. Turquoise

36. Sepulchral

37. Frolic

38. Arabesque

39. Avalanche

40. Demented

41. Sheer

42. Aura

43. Ravenous

44. Gargantuan

45. Abyss role

46. Jolt

47. Convalescence

48. Fret
49. Perfidy

50. Abeyance

Examples
Guess the meaning of the underlined word from the context:

1. The querulous child I babysit just won't stop bothering me until I let him
play video games.'

a) Complaining

b) Joyful

c) Crying

d) Calm

Querulous - complaining

Clue: let him play

2. Her transient thoughts of quitting her job are fleeting, lasting only as long as
the weekly meeting she abhors.'

b) Abhors

c) Thoughts

a) Fleeting

d) Quitting

Ans: transient- fleeting.

Clue: fleeting

3. The snake slithered through the grass.

a) stopped moving
b) slept in the grass

c) ate something

d) moved or travelled

Ans: slithered - moved or travelled,

Clue: through

4. You can trust the salesman at that store because they always conduct business
in an aboveboard manner.

a) sneaky

b) stealthily

c) honestly

d) strangely

Ans: honestly.

Clue: trust

5. Banu is gregarious since she has many friends:

a) introvert

b) extrovert

c) shy

d) hesitant

Ans: extrovert,

Clue: many friends

6. The lovely egret is in danger of extinction because clothing manufacturers
use their long, beautiful tail feathers to make ladies' hats.

a) a small child

b) a type of fish

c) sound of a tiger

d) a type of a bird

Ans: a type of a bird.

Clue: feathers

7. The hill was too arduous for us to climb. We had to walk our bicycles up the
hill.

a) tall

b) fun

c) easy

d) difficult

Ans : difficult

Clue: walk our bicycles up.

8. Rote learning is in practice among most of the students and this should be
stopped.

a) mugging up

b) understanding

c) mis understanding

d) ambiguity
Ans: mugging up.

Clue: this should be stopped.

9. With bated breath, I gaze at the windows at night because of anxiety.

a) joyfully

b) nervously

c) eagerly

d) interestingly

Ans: nervously

Clue: anxiety

10. Russian's Vladimir Putin known otherwise for flaunting his machismo,
showcased his softer side.

a) pride

b) humility

c) politeness

d) show off

Ans: show off

Clue: otherwise