Context Clues

Context Clues

Word Detectives

What if I don't know what a word means?

• We use CONTEXT clues to figure out the meaning of unknown words.

• There are different ways we can figure it out:

• Inferencing

• Definitions

• Synonms

• Antonyms

• Examples

Open Ended

In your own words, what is a context clue?

Inferencing

The meaning of an unfamiliar word can 

be inferred (guessed) from the 

description of a situation. We can use clues in the text to INFER the meaning of unknown words.

Think...What is happening in the sentence?

Ex: Katie’s belligerence surprised everyone. She threw her book 

across the room, glared at Chris,

and then pushed him to the floor. 

Definitions

Sometimes the author puts the definition IN the sentence or in the text around the sentence.

Ex: Martha is a curator, a person who is 

responsible for looking after a 

museum’s collection.

Synonyms

The author uses a word having THE SAME or nearly the same meaning as 

another word or other words in a 

sentence. 

Ex: Carnivores, that is, meat-eaters, are the top of the food chain. 

Antonyms

The author uses another word or 

phrase that means the OPPOSITE of an 

unfamiliar word 

Ex: The gentleman was portly, but his wife 

was thin.

Examples

The author provides examples or 

additional explanations or summaries 

to help you understand an unfamiliar 

word. 

The word is cleared up by giving 

an example. 

Ex: The archeologist found different 

amulets, such as a rabbit’s foot and 

precious stones. 

Multiple Choice

My shy brother is taciturn and rarely speaks in public.

What does the word taciturn mean in this sentence?

• outgoing

• quiet

Multiple Choice

Because of his sweet tooth, Cookie Monster has a predilection towards sugary snacks instead of salty ones.

• preference

• dislike

Multiple Choice

After my grandfather passed away, he left my father a rather large entailment, meaning we now own his house and land.

• debt

• inheritance

Multiple Choice

Mike's brilliant acceptance speech was an auspicious start to his political career, while Bill's speech led to his demise.

• favorable

• bad

Multiple Choice

As a writer of celebrity biographies, you need to be extremely careful to get your facts straight before you publish so that you can’t be sued for libel.

• honesty

• slander (making false statements)

Multiple Choice

The caricature that was drawn of me really exaggerated my big brown eyes.

• cartoon-like picture

• f

Multiple Choice

My ingenuous, or naive, six-year-old sister still believes there is a tooth fairy.

• innocent

• mature

Multiple Choice

The actor vehemently delivered his lines with passionate facial expressions and exaggerated hand gestures.

• passionately

• calmly

Multiple Choice

I certainly took umbrage in not being invited to my best friend's birthday party.

• pleasure

• offense

Multiple Choice

My parents said the SAT prep class was for my edification, but I was still mad they had signed me up for it.

• improvement

• downfall