Context Clues
- Context Clues
Context is the words and sentences around a word. A context clue is a hint in the text. It helps the reader work out what an unfamiliar word means. An unfamiliar word is a word we do not know yet.
Where to Look
Clues can be inside the sentence that has the word.
Clues can also be beyond the sentence. Read the sentences that come before and after the word.
Kinds of Context Clues
Definition or restatement: The text tells the meaning. Look for the signal words or and which means.
We hiked to the summit, or top, of the hill. Summit means top.
Synonym: A word nearby means the same thing.
The room was tidy. Everything was neat and in its place. Tidy means neat.
Antonym: A word nearby means the opposite. Look for the signal words but and not.
Maya felt drowsy, but her brother was wide awake. Drowsy means sleepy.
Example: The text gives examples. Look for the signal words such as and like.
We saw reptiles, such as snakes, lizards, and turtles. These animals are reptiles.
Details: Other facts in the text help us picture the meaning.
The trail was steep. We had to climb slowly and stop to rest. Steep means going up sharply.
How to Use Context Clues
1. Find the unfamiliar word.
2. Read the whole sentence. Look for a clue.
3. If the sentence does not help, read the sentences before and after it.
4. Decide what the word means.
5. Put that meaning in place of the word. Read the sentence again to check that it matches the clues.
1. The unfamiliar word is frantic.
2. Look in the same sentence. Carla could not find her dog. She ran up and down the street calling his name.
3. These details show how Carla felt and acted. She was very worried, and she hurried.
4. Frantic means very worried and in a rush. Check it: Carla was very worried and in a rush when she could not find her dog. The meaning matches the clues.
1. The unfamiliar word is fragile. Its sentence only tells us that the barn was old.
2. Read beyond the sentence. The boards were thin and cracked. One strong wind could knock it down.
3. Something that is thin, cracked, and easy to knock down can break with very little force.
4. Fragile means easy to break. The clues were in the sentences after the word.
- Multiple-Meaning Words
Some words have more than one meaning. They are called multiple-meaning words. The word light can mean brightness that helps us see. It can also mean not heavy. Context clues show the reader which meaning the author is using.
1. Light can mean brightness that helps us see, or it can mean not heavy.
2. Look for clues in the sentence. Mia lifted it with one finger.
3. A box that we can lift with one finger does not weigh much. Brightness does not tell how much a box weighs.
4. Here, light means not heavy. The clue in the sentence shows which meaning fits.
1. Bat can mean a flying animal, or it can mean a stick used to hit a ball.
2. Look in the same sentence. Sam found a bat in the shed. Both meanings could fit, so read beyond the sentence.
3. The next sentence says Sam took it to his ball game and hit the ball over the fence. An animal is not used to hit a ball.
4. Here, bat means a stick used to hit a ball. The clue was in the next sentence.
Next, practice using context clues to find word meanings.
3rd Grade Reading - Context Clues Lesson