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How to understand new

words using Context Clues?

FOLLOW THE CLUES!

DETERMINING MEANING OF
IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS
BY NOTING CONTEXT CLUES
IDIOM/ IDIOMATIC EXPRESSION

A word or group of
words whose meaning
is different from the
combined meanings of
the words expressed.
EXAMPLES OF IDIOMS

He flew off the handle Went crazy

Hard to swallow Difficult to believe

Do something
One step at a time slowly/carefully
USING APPROPRIATE STRATEGIES IN
UNLOCKING MEANING OF WORDS
FOUR TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
1. DEFINITION 3. EXAMPLE
2. RESTATEMENT 4. MULTIPLE MEANINGS
 1. Definition
The new term may be formally defined, or sufficient 
explanation may be given within the sentence or in the 
following sentence

Clues to definition include “that is,” commas, 
dashes, and parentheses.
 Definition
You must try to fulfill your oath because it is a solemn promise.

The arbitrator, the neutral person chosen to settle the dispute, arrived at
her decision

Fluoroscopy, examination with a fluoroscope, has become a common

practice.
2. Restatement
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
Restatement
The result of the investigation is unpredictable. No one
knows what the result will be.

When no one knows what the result will be, the result is
unpredictable.
Example
She went into seclusion. No one came to see her, and she
refused to see anyone.

The two details given in the second sentence explain

what seclusion means.
Multiple meanings
The meaning of an unfamiliar word can be
inferred from the description of a situation or
experience
Multiple meanings
Dementia almost overcame Lou 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.