Find words using context

Learning Objectives Define an unknown word by using clues in the surrounding text. Identify at least four different types of context clues (definition, synonym, antonym, example). Explain which clues in a sentence helped them figure out a word's meaning. Replace an unknown word with a logical guess to check if the sentence still makes sense. Use a newly learned word correctly in their own original sentence. Have you ever been reading and stumbled upon a word you didn't know? 🕵️‍♀️ Don't grab a dictionary just yet—the answer might be hiding in plain sight! In this lesson, you'll learn to be a word detective! We will discover how to use 'context clues'—the words and sentences around a tricky word—to figure out its meaning. This powerful skill makes...

TermDefinitionExample Context CluesHints that an author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word. The clues are found in the sentences or paragraphs around the unknown word.The river was **turbulent**, and the roaring, churning water tossed the small boat around. (The words 'roaring' and 'churning' are clues that 'turbulent' means wild and rough.) Definition/Explanation ClueThe author directly tells you the meaning of the word, often right after the word itself.The **iguana**, which is a type of large lizard, sat on the rock. Synonym ClueThe author uses a word with a similar meaning to help explain the unknown word.The boy was **famished**; he was so hungry he could eat a whole pizza. Antonym/Contrast ClueThe author uses a word with the opposite meani...

The Look-Around Rule Read the sentence before the unknown word, the sentence with the word, and the sentence after it. Don't just look at the word itself. The clues are often hidden in the surrounding text, so you need to investigate the whole neighborhood of words. The Clue-Word Hunt Look for signal words or punctuation that point to a specific type of clue. Words like 'or', 'which is', 'like', 'but', and 'for example' are huge hints. Punctuation like commas, dashes, or parentheses can also set off a definition. The Substitute & Check Make an educated guess about the word's meaning, then substitute your guess into the sentence. After you find clues and make a guess, try replacing the tricky word with yo...