Vocabulary in Context
How to find the meaning of a word by using the
context clues around it.
Four types of context clues
 Rewording
 Synonym
 Antonym
 Details/examples
Rewording
 Rewording is when the author says the word in another way
that is easier to understand.
 The context clues are often between a set of commas.
Rewording example
 Resentment, a feeling of bitterness and anger, is often felt by
people who are passed over for promotions.
Rewording practice
 The Cruise family moved from their dilapidated house, that
was old and run-down, into a brand new one.
Synonyms
 Synonyms are words that have the same meaning. Authors
will often use synonyms for words they do not expect you to
know.
 Synonym context clues are often hidden in surrounding
sentences.
Synonym example
 The young girl was very aloof. She always seemed
unsociable, unapproachable, and uninterested.
Synonym practice
 The three brothers began an altercation after the game.
This was not the first time they fought about the score.
Antonyms
 A writer uses antonym context clues when they use a word
with the opposite meaning to give us hints about the word
that they think we don’t know.
 Antonym context clues have hint words to tell us that there
are opposite words present.

Hint words can be:
•
•
•
•
But
however
In other words
Etc.
Antonym example
 Diana appeared to be a very moral and upstanding young
lady, but those who knew her knew that she was iniquitous.
Antonym practice
 David was very outgoing as opposed to his coy older sister.
Details/example
 A writer is using details/examples as context clues when
they give us explanations or examples as hints about the word
that they don’t think we will understand.
Details/examples
 Father was ecstatic because Josh decided to go to the college
that he wanted him to.
Details/examples practice
 It is our custom that the bride and groom only wear the
finest raiment on their wedding day.
Practice
 Mallery’s mom thought that the new outfit that she had
bought for her was modish. Mallery did not want to break
it to her, but it was totally out of style.
 Insomnia, not being able to sleep at night, can be linked to
an excessive intake of caffeine throughout the day.
Practice
 The day had proven to be very torrid. Before the sun had
even risen, it was already hot outside.
 Though many types of birds fly in groups, eagles are birds of
solitude.
Practice
 Many of us have ambivalent feelings about our politicians,
admiring but also distrusting them.
 The adverse effects of this medication, including dizziness,
nausea and headaches have caused it to be withdrawn from
the market.