12 Strategy: Using Context Clues

When authors write, they often give context clues to readers to suggest the meanings of new or difficult words. Context clues usually give you a sense of a word’s meaning. Here are a few clues you can use when you read.

Definitions or Restatements

The author directly defines the new word within the sentence.

Example: “When people contravene – break or violate – a law in Canada, they can expect to face legal consequences.”

Explanation: “Break or violate” is the definition of the word “contravene”.

Synonyms

The author uses a word or phrase with a similar meaning to suggest the meaning of the new word.

Example: “Following his death by accidental drug overdose, actor Heath Ledger posthumously received an Oscar for best supporting actor for his portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight.”

Explanation: “Following his death” has a similar meaning to the word “posthumously.”

Antonyms

The author uses a word or phrase with an opposite meaning to suggest the meaning of the new word.

Example: “I really don’t appreciate your duplicity. I expect you to give me an honest response from now on.”

Explanation: “Honest response” has the opposite meaning of “duplicity” since the speaker expects a different behavior from the other person from that point on.

Examples

The author provides examples or illustrations of the new word to suggest its meaning.

Example: “Bats, owls, raccoons, and crickets are chiefly nocturnal creatures.”

Explanation: “Bats, owls, raccoons, and crickets” are examples of “nocturnal creatures” (creatures of the night).