Context Clues:
 Hints
the author gives to help
define a difficult or unusual word
 The
clue may appear within the
same sentence as the word to
which it refers, or it may follow in
the next sentence.
Examples:
Mary
retained (kept) the
deed to her mother’s
house.
I
wonder if that fruit is
edible (able to be eaten).
Types of Context Clues:
Synonyms
Antonyms
Explanation
Example
Synonym and Antonym Clues:

Authors may use word clues such as
synonyms (words with almost the same
meaning), or antonyms (words opposite in
meaning) near the unfamiliar word.
Examples:
 Reducing cholesterol has a number of
beneficial results. One positive outcome is
reducing the risk of heart disease.
(Synonym clue)
 I despise liver, but I adore steak.
(Antonym clue)
More Synonym Examples:
 Most
castles had high walls and
were surrounded by a water-filled
ditch called a moat.
 The
harlequin, like the circus
clown, was a fool who loved to
perform.
More Antonym Examples:
 Jerry
is very clumsy, but his
sister Jenny is adroit.
 Unlike
his quiet and low-key
family, Brad is garrulous.
Explanation examples:
 Sometimes
the meaning of a
word or phrase is explained
immediately following its use.
 Etymology,
which is the study of
the origin of words, is part of the
9th grade curriculum.
Read
the following
sentences and try to
choose the best definition
for the italicized word by
searching for context
clues in the sentence.
1. The designer window treatments in her
house, installed 17 years ago, were outmoded.
unnecessary
b. pointless
c. out-of-date
d. worthless
a.
1. The designer window treatments in her
house, installed 17 years ago, were outmoded.
c.
out-of-date

The key words that help us determine
the meaning in this sentence are:
○ “installed 17 years ago”
○ This tells us they are most likely
out of style or “out-of-date”
2. The spies conducted a covert
operation.
dangerous
b. foreign
c. hidden
d. illegal
a.
2. The spies conducted a covert
operation.
c.
hidden
The key word here is “spies”
 Typically when one thinks of a spy, they
think of things that are done secretly, or
“hidden”

3. Mr. Powers was so gullible that he
believed even the most outlandish
excuses of his insincere employees.
a.
b.
c.
d.
intelligent
naïve
dishonest
critical
3. Mr. Powers was so gullible that he
believed even the most outlandish excuses
of his insincere employees.
b.
naïve

Key words or phrase:
○ “he believed even the most outlandish
excuses”
○ Remember, you can always use
process of elimination to determine if
the other choices would be correct. In
this case, none of the other choices
would be a good fit.