Use Context Clues to Guess the Meaning of Unfamiliar Words.
To figure out the meaning of a new word, do not immediately go charging off to the dictionary and record a definition as if it were one more addition to a giant notebook list of words. Contrary to what you may have heard, the dictionary is a last resort when you aren't sure what a word means. Instead, first try to figure out the meaning from the context clues in the sentence or paragraph in which the word is used.
1. DefinitionThe unknown word is defined within the sentence or paragraph. / Example: The explorers landed in an alien environment, a place both foreign and strange to their beloved homeland / Explanation: The definition is set off by a comma following the phrase in which the word appears. Alien means strange or foreign.
1. The CIA was engaged in covert activities in South America that were not made public.
a. foreign b. dishonest c. dangerous d. hidden
2. The meeting was brief, and the message was concise and to the point.
a. laborious b. lengthy c. short d. important
3. If we have to have a pet around the house, get one that is docile and easy to manage.
a. gentle b. short c. sick d. young
4. The professor gave an ultimatum about missing class, saying any more absences would result in failing.
a. final demand b. new proposal c. lecture d. choice
5. Checking the references in the bibliography for errors was tedious and uninteresting
a. educational b. necessary c. exhausting d. boring
2. Elaborating DetailsDescriptive details suggest the meaning of the unknown word. / Example: The natives were hostile when the settlers approached their village. They lined up across the road and drew their weapons. The settlers were afraid to go farther. / Explanation: As described in the sentences after the word, hostile must mean unfriendly.
1. Because she had only a few minutes to spare, the professor gave the paper a cursory reading.
a. careful b. hasty c. thoughtful d. modest
2. No one was completely sure of the politician’s position on the question because the answer was so ambiguous.
a. confusing b. silly c. late d. incomplete
3. The edge of a dangerous cliff is a precarious position for a summertime picnic lunch.
a. exciting b. lovely c. risky d. scenic
4. The winds and thunder foreshadowed the terrible storm that was to come.
a. stalled b. intercepted c. foretold d. lessened
5. Wishing to save her money, she was frugal and sought out the bargain items on sale.
a. thrifty b. clever c. slv d. determined
3. Elaborating ExamplesAn anecdote or example before or after the word suggests the meaning / Example: The bird's appetite is voracious. In one day he ate enough worms to equal three times his body weight. / Explanation: Because the bird ate an extraordinary amount, voracious mean' extremely hungry or greedy
1. The dancer's movements were not rehearsed, but were a spontaneous response to the music.
a. planned b. simple c. unpremeditated d. smooth
2. The embargo will restrict trade with the country and stop the goods from entering the seaport
a. promote b. enlist c. renew d. confine
3. The affluent members of the community live in big homes with swimming pools.
a. powerful b. wealthy c. athletic d. political
4. Because the employer had never heard of the three companies listed as references, she was dubious about the applicant's previous work history.
a. relaxed b. unconcerned c. doubtful d. hopeful
5. The doctor gave a favorable prognosis, saying that in two weeks her broken leg would feel much better.
a. forecast b. prescription c. warning d. notification
4. Comparison:A similar situation suggests the meaning of the unknown word. / Example: The smell of the flower was as compelling as a magnet's pull on a paper clip. / Explanation: Because a magnet will pull a paper clip to it, the comparison suggests that the smell of the flower had an attraction. Compelling means attracting.
1. I am as skeptical about its chances of success as I am about my chances of winning the lottery.
a. doubtful b. confident c. remorseful d. hopeful
2. Confirming every appointment is as prudent as never letting your gas tank go lower than one-quarter full.
a. annoying b. reckless c. rewarding d. wise
3. Like cursing in a public place, gauche behaviors reflect unfavorably on those who engage in them.
a. loud b. crude c. mean d. unreasonable
4. Because there is always a first time for everything, each of us is a novice at some point in our lives.
a. fool b. master c. manager d. beginner
5. If the man is actually a circus performer, it is plausible that he performed a dangerous trick on the tall building
a. doubtful b. impossible c. terrible d. believable
5. ContrastAn opposite situation suggests the meaning of the unknown word. / Example: In America, she is an eminent scientist, even though she is virtually unknown in England. / Explanation: Even though are signal words indicating that an opposite is coming. Thus eminent means the opposite of known; it means well known or famous.
1. Unlike introverted people, very talkative folks love crowds and conversation.
a. quiet b. loud c friendly d. hostile
2. His favorites were not the old stories of days gone by, but the works of more contemporary authors.
a. intelligent b. recent c. revolutionary d. meaningful
3. He did not mean to cause the problem. While looking for his hat, the boy inadvertently broke the lamp.
a. purposely b. knowingly c. unintentionally d. suddenly
4. Now that she is an adult college student who controls her emotions, she no longer engages in the infantile outbursts that marked her behavior as a child.
a. immature b. sudden c. angry d. short
5. Although she had a crush on him all fall, Maria's interest in him began to wane when he asked two other girls to the holiday party.
a. grow b. lessen c. accelerate d. intensify
Use context clues to write the meaning of the following words that are frequently used in business. Which kind of context clue does each use?
1. With less time to shop and more people online, e-commerce is cutting into mall shopping profits.
2. When you call a broker to buy stocks, a fee for the broker is added to the cost.
3. Consumers who buy product in the marketplace today are demanding better quality from manufacturers
4. The competition of having different companies offer similar products in the marketplace tends to bring prices down
5. To interest you in purchasing products, advertisers rely heavily on implied meaning as one of their tactics.
6. In government, the fiscal year for allocating budgeted money ends on June 30 and begins on July 1.
7. Fads run in cycles, so frequently an old fad goes out of style and is repeated twenty years later.
8. In order to secure a loan, the borrower may list her house or car as collateral to protect the lender in case full repayment is not received.
9. If you know a manufacturer to contact, you can save money by buying carpeting wholesale rather than at the full retail value in stores.
10. During periods of high inflation people need more money buy fewer products, and they have trouble saving money.