Using Context Clues to Understand New Words
Students use nearby words, sentences, and illustrations to determine the meanings of unfamiliar words in a grade-level text.
Illustrations are auto-generated and may be placeholders. They can be refreshed to match the narration.
Meet an Unfamiliar Word
Sometimes you will find a word that you do not know. Do not stop reading or worry. First, notice the unfamiliar word and read the whole sentence. Then say the word slowly and think about anything you already know about it. For example, read: “The enormous elephant stood beside the tiny mouse.” You may not know the word “enormous.” The words “elephant” and “tiny mouse” help you notice that the two animals are very different in size. Mark the unfamiliar word in your mind, but keep reading. Words and pictures nearby may give you useful clues. A context clue is information around an unfamiliar word that helps you figure out what the word means.
Look for Clues Around the Word
Words and sentences near an unfamiliar word can give different kinds of clues. A nearby word may explain the meaning, give an example, or show an opposite idea. Read: “After playing in the hot sun, Luis was parched, so he drank two large glasses of water.” What might “parched” mean? The phrases “hot sun” and “drank two large glasses of water” are clues. They suggest that Luis was very thirsty. Look before and after the unfamiliar word because a helpful clue may appear anywhere in the sentence or in the next sentence. Ask yourself, “What happened?” and “Which nearby details help?” Put the clues together instead of guessing from only one word.
Use the Illustration
An illustration can show the meaning of a new word, especially when the picture matches details in the text. Read: “The rabbit hurried into its burrow beneath the ground.” Suppose “burrow” is unfamiliar. Look at the illustration. If it shows a rabbit entering a tunnel in the soil, the picture gives an important clue. A burrow is a hole or tunnel where an animal may live or hide. Study what the characters are doing, where they are, and which objects are shown. Then connect those picture details to the sentence. Remember that an illustration is one clue, not the whole answer. Use both the picture and the words to decide on a meaning.
Try a Possible Meaning
After finding clues, think of a possible meaning for the unfamiliar word. Replace the word with your possible meaning and read the sentence again. For example, read: “When the bell rang, Maya darted across the playground.” The phrase “when the bell rang” suggests that Maya moved quickly. Try replacing “darted” with “ran quickly”: “When the bell rang, Maya ran quickly across the playground.” The new sentence keeps the original idea and sounds right, so “ran quickly” is a strong possible meaning. Your replacement does not need to be a perfect dictionary definition. It should express the main idea of the word. If the sentence sounds strange, try another meaning and read it again.
Check Whether the Meaning Makes Sense
Always check your possible meaning against every clue. Ask: “Does it fit the sentence, the nearby details, and the illustration?” Some words have more than one meaning, so context is important. Read: “Nora sat on the grassy bank and watched the river flow.” The word “bank” can mean a place that keeps money, but that meaning does not fit this sentence. The clues “grassy” and “river” show that the bank is the land beside a river. Replace the word to check: “Nora sat on the grassy land beside the river.” The sentence makes sense. If your meaning does not fit all the clues, revise it. You can also use a child-friendly dictionary to confirm your answer after using context clues.
