Finding Word Meaning In Context

Calm

Even though a storm had just come through, the lake was strangely very placid that afternoon. In this sentence the word PLACID means: a. wild b. rough c. calm d. wet

Excess

I have a plethora of cookies - please, take as many as you want. In this sentence, the word PLETHORA means: a. scarcity b. enough c. shortfall d. excess

Here is an example: George cared little for social amenities, and sometimes his unpleasant words and actions made people feel uncomfortable. The words that come after the word "amenities" explain that the word means unpleasant words and actions. Now read the whole sentence including the new word.

Step 1: Read the whole sentence. If you don't know the meaning of the word, skip over it and read the rest of the sentence. Then look at the words around the new one and try to make a connection.

Read this sentence: They drove their bright new red vehicle to the park. You might not know the word "vehicle," but the word "drove" is a clue that vehicle could mean a car. In this sentence the context clue comes before the new word. Read the sentence again using the word "car" instead of "vehicle" to see if the word makes sense.

Step 2: Look for clues within the sentence...

Read this sentence: He was always late; he just couldn't ever be punctual. The word "late" is the opposite of the word "punctual." In this sentence the clue to the meaning of "punctual" is the word "late."

Step 3: Look for antonyms within the sentence...

Read this sentence: The family needed to economize, but try as they would they just couldn't save money. The word "save" in this sentence means the same thing as "economize." Save is a synonym for economize. Sometimes a synonym, or word that means the same as the new word is a context clue that can help you figure out the meaning of a new word.

Step 4: Look for synonyms within the sentence...

Full

The bin of potatoes in the cellar was replete; we would not run out of food all winter. In this sentence the word REPLETE means: a. empty b. crooked c. hungry d. full

Fake

The counterfeit money was not accepted at the retailer. In this sentence the word COUNTERFEIT means: a. fake b. important c. thick d. repulsive 3. Even though

Cut

The laceration on the boy's finger was not bad - it only needed 2 stitches. In this sentence the word LACERATION means: a. bruise b. cut c. blood d. lash

Broke

When I fell off the trampoline, I fractured my arm and wore a cast. In this sentence, the word FRACTURED means: a. rested b. broke c. avoided d. looked at