Definitions, Restatements, Examples, Synonyms, and Antonyms!

Context can help you to find the meaning of words that you do not know.

The context of an unknown word is the other words and sentences around it.

There are several types of context clues including: definitions, restatements, examples, comparisons (synonyms), and contrasts (antonyms).

One really obvious type of context clue is a definition.

To define a word means to explain its meaning.

The word is can be a clue that a sentence contains a definition.

1. An exotic animal is one that is out of the ordinary or unusual.

In this sentence the word is signals that a definition is coming.

What word is defined in the sentence? What is the definition?

2. Any story published in short installments is called a serial.

Sometimes the definition comes first. What word is being defined in the sentence? What is the

definition?

3. Baseball is my favorite sport. How is this sentence different from the previous two? Just because the sentence has the verb is, does not

necessarily mean that it contains a definition.

The word _______ means________.Here is another way to state a definition. In this form, the clue word is means.

1. The word vacant means empty.2. Shrill means piercing and high pitched.

What is the word being defined and the definition in each of these sentences?

She always means exactly what she says.

How is this sentence different?Just like with the word is, the clue word means

does not always signal that there is a definition.

Another kind of context clue is a restatement.

The prefix –re means to do something again. A restatement uses different words to say something over again.

Here are some clue words for restatements: in other words, that is, or

1. Please notify us of your plans, in other words, let us know what you are going to do.

What is the definition of notify? What were the clue words and what do you notice about the punctuation?

2. Check to see that you have packed adequate rations; that is, be sure you bring enough food.

What is the definition of adequate rations? What were the clue words?

Using examples is one way to show the meaning of a new word.Example context clues can be set up in any of these ways:1.Examples of contact sports are_______.2.She likes contact sports; for example,_______.3.________ and ________ are types of contact sports.4.Contact sports include______________.

Contact sports including football, hockey, boxing, wrestling can be very dangerous.What is a contact sport according to these examples?

Give some examples of the word domestic animal.

Create a few sentences using the word and your examples like the sentences we created for contact sport.

Comparisons and contrasts are another type of context clue. Comparisons are also called synonyms and contrasts are also known as antonyms.

Clue words for comparisons are: like, similar to, the same as, and resembles

Clue words for contrasts are: not like, different from, in contrast to, and on the

other hand

We felt compassion or pity for their suffering. What is a synonym for compassion?

The boxes were cumbersome unlike the easy-to-carry bags with handles.What is an antonym for cumbersome?