Context Clues

Do you know what to do when you come across a word you don't know? Sometimes, you'll find the meaning of a word hidden in the sentence you're reading. Words and phrases that you already understand can act like clues in a puzzle. Using the clues given to you in a sentence to figure out the meaning of a word or phrase is called using context clues.

One of the best ways to improve your vocabulary is to look at words in context. This means looking at how the word is used in a sentence – what comes before and what follows it. Often, if you do not know the meaning of a word, you can look at the context and figure out what it means.

How to Use Context Clues to Define Words

Context Clue:

A word or phrase in the same sentence or a nearby sentence that can help the reader understand the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Type	Explanation & Tips	Example
Definition Clue	A definition clue is a word or phrase that defines the unfamiliar word. Look for words or phrases that introduce a definition for the unfamiliar word, such as defined as, means, and refers to. Also, look for punctuation marks that set off a definition, such as quotation marks, parentheses, and brackets.	A syllabus refers to a document that shows students important information about a course, such as textbooks, assignments, policies, and exams.
Synonym Clue	A synonym clue is a word or phrase that has a similar meaning to the unfamiliar word. Look for words or phrases that introduce a synonym, such as in other words, or, that is to say, and also known as. Also, look for punctuation marks that set off a synonym, such as commas, parentheses, dashes, and brackets.	The teacher wanted me to alter or change the language I used in the essay.
Contrast Clue	A contrast clue is a word or phrase that has the opposite meaning of the unfamiliar word. In other words, it's an antonym. Look for words or phrases that introduce a contrast, such as however, but, instead of, on the other hand, on the contrary.	His uncle is an affluent businessman, but his father has always been poor.
Example Clue	An example clue is a word or phrase that provides an example to show the meaning of the unfamiliar word. Look for words or phrases that introduce examples, such as for example, for instance, to illustrate, to include, like, and such as.	Carbohydrates, such as bread and pasta, are important for muscle building.
Experience Clue	An experience clue draws upon personal experience or background knowledge to help you guess the meaning of the unfamiliar word. Look for a word, phrase, or sentence that includes a familiar experience or information you already know.	Television audiences are familiar with disingenuous advertisements that make big promises.
Adjacent Clue	An adjacent clue is a word or phrase in a nearby sentence that explains the meaning of the unfamiliar word.	Nanotechnology is becoming more and more a part of daily life. As computer chips continue to become smaller and smaller, companies are using them in everything from clothes, to building materials, to even the human body.

Now that we know what it means to use context clues, let's continue on to more strategies that can help us learn new words.

Source:

Text adapted from College Skills INT English, Tania Pattison, Coast Mountain College https://www.nscc.ca/library/docs/copyright/oer/otb197-01-college-skills-intermediate-english.pdf
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License.

Video from Student Success Center OCtech, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er0W0sj2_4Q
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Reference guide table adapted from Excelsior Online Writing Lab, https://owl.excelsior.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ContextClues2019.pdf
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.