Be a Word Detective

Determining Meaning by Context

Sometimes the meaning of the word or phrase is right there!

How do context clues help a Word Detective?

Context Clues are hints that the author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word. The clue may appear within the same sentence as the word, or it may be in a preceding or subsequent sentence.

There are at least four kinds of common context clues

1. Synonyms 2. Antonyms 3. Explanation 4. Example

1. Synonym
A synonym, or word with the same meaning, is used in the sentence. Sometimes this is in the form of an appositive.

He tried to win the debate, but the boys argument was fallacious, misleading just plain wrong.

Fallacious means untrue, misleading, wrong, erroneous

2. Antonyms
An antonym, a word or group of words that has the opposite meaning, reveals the meaning of an unknown term.

Although some men are loquacious, others hardly talk at all.

Loquacious means longwinded, wordy, talkative.

3. Explanation
The unknown word is explained within the sentence or in a sentence immediately preceding, coming before, that sentence.

The patient is so somnolent that she requires medication to help her stay awake for more than a short time.

Somnolent means sleepy or drowsy.

4. Examples
Specific examples are used to define the term.

Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, are governed by predictable laws.

Celestial means outer space, extraterrestrial, heavenly.

And sometimes you have to be a real detective and look for more clues!