use context to identify the meaning of a word
Key Notes :
⛳ If you don’t know the meaning of a word, look for context clues. Context clues are nearby words that help you figure out the meaning of a new word.
Here are some examples:
Megan was glum when her best friend moved away.
- You can guess that glum means ‘sad’.
He said sorry, but I was still irate.
- You can guess that irate means ‘angry’.
Mr. Lee keeps his home tidy and clean.
- You can guess that tidy means ‘neat’.
Be cautious! Move slowly and mind your step.
- You can guess that cautious means ‘careful’.
Learn with an example
⛳ What does grimy mean? Use nearby words to help you figure out the meaning.
⛳ Beth’s shoes are clean, but her sister’s are grimy.
- A) tiny
- B) dirty
- What does grimy mean? Look at the underlined context clue.
- Beth’s shoes are clean, but her sister’s are grimy.
- ‘But’ tells you that grimy is the opposite of ‘clean’.
- The context clue helps you guess that grimy means dirty.
⛳ What does vital mean? Use nearby words to help you figure out the meaning.
⛳ You don’t really need a radio on camping trips, but a torch is vital.
- A) important
- B) too bright
- What does vital mean? Look at the underlined context clue.
- You don’t really need a radio on camping trips, but a torch is vital.
- ‘But’ tells you that something vital is something you really need.
- The context clue helps you guess that vital means important.
⛳ What does aid mean? Use nearby words to help you figure out the meaning.
⛳ The woman jumped into the lake to aid the drowning man.
- A) help
- B) splash
- What does aid mean? Look at the underlined context clue.
- The woman jumped into the lake to aid the drowning man.
- A person would jump into a lake to help someone who was drowning.
- The context clue helps you guess that aid means help.
let’s practice!
