Context Clues

I can determine the meaning of

4L.4-a:
unknown words using context clues.
Context Clues

are hints that the author gives to help

define a difficult or unusual word. The
clue may appear within the same
sentence as the word to which it
refers, or it may follow in a preceding
sentence.
How to understand new words using
Context Clues?
Three Types of Context Clues

1.Definition / Explanation

2. Restatement / Synonym

3. Inference / General Context Clues

 Types of Context Clues
1.Definition / Explanation
The unknown word is explained by using a more
familiar word or phrase. Writer might use words like
(means, is, refers to, are called).

Entomology is the study of insects.

Corona refers to the outermost part of

the sun’s atmosphere.
Context Clue: Definition / Explanation
Your turn:
1.what is the meaning of “ emaciation”?

His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like

appearance, was frightening to see.

2.what is the meaning of “ expand”?

Every time that Jamal went to the library, he tried

to expand his understanding of the world.
 Types of Context Clues
2. Restatement / Synonyms

The meaning is usually right after the unfamiliar word

and often separated from the rest of the sentence with
commas, dashes, or parenthesis; sometimes or, that
is or in other words is used.
Context clue: Restatement / Synonyms

Let’s have an example:

The mountain pass was a tortuous road, winding and

twisting like a snake around the trees of the
mountainside.

“Tortuous” means “winding and twisting.”

Context clue: Restatement / Synonyms

Let’s have an example:

Flooded with spotlights ,She was the cynosure of

all eyes for the rest of the evening.

What could be the definition of the

word cynosure in this sentence?

“Cynosure” means “the focus of all attention.”

 Context clue: Restatement / Synonyms

Your turn:
What does the word aloof mean in this sentence?

The young girl was very aloof. She always seemed

unsociable and uninterested .

What does the word rambunctious mean in this

sentence?

The rambunctious kids ran out to the bus and

climbed on board. They jumped and yelled and
just couldn’t settle down.
 Types of Context Clues

3.Inference/General Context Clues:

The meaning of an unfamiliar word can be
inferred from the description of a situation.
Context Clues: inference/ general
Let’s have an example:

Lou was in a case of dementia when she stepped

off the train at Rainwater Ridge and felt as crazy as
a Betsy bug as she realized how different her new
life would be.

Dementia can be defined as being insane

because the phrase "as crazy as a Betsy
bug" indicates insanity.
Context Clues: inference/ general
Let’s have an example:

Hana told her friend, “ What a dull evening! I was

bored every minute. The conversation was
absolutely vapid.”

What could the word vapid means?

The most logical guess would be uninteresting.

 Context Clues: inference/ general
1.What could the word vociferous means?

The monkey’s vociferous chatter made

me wish I had earplugs.

2.What could the word voracious means?

Coyotes have a voracious appetite. They eat

insects, lizards, snakes, rabbits, squirrels,
grasses and even fruit.
 Context Clues: inference/ general
1.What could the word listless means?

After cleaning the garden for 5 hours on a

scorching hot day Troy was feeling listless.

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