CONTEXT CLUES &
MULTIPLE-MEANING
WORDS
CONTEXT CLUES
Context clues are the words,
phrases, or sentences around or
near an unfamiliar word that help
you understand its meaning.
CONTEXT CLUES
EXAMPLE:
Katie appeared infallible in math class because
she had never gotten a problem wrong.
What does infallible mean?
a. wrong
b. incorrect
c. never wrong
d. mistaken
CONTEXT CLUES
The correct answer is “c – never wrong.”
How did you come up with the correct
answer?
Did you look at the context clues in the
sentence?
Did you notice the words “had never
gotten a problem wrong”?
CONTEXT CLUES
Let’s try some more…..
The tornado annihilated the whole town to the
point that nothing was left standing.
What does annihilated mean?
a. constructed
b. destroyed
c. created
d. saved
CONTEXT CLUES
The correct answer is “b – destroyed.”
How did you come up with the correct
answer?
Did you look at the context clues in the
sentence?
Did you notice the words “to the point
nothing was left standing”?
CONTEXT CLUES
The insidious burglar was able to sneak into the
house without being seen or heard.
What does insidious mean?
a. strong
b. loud
c. clumsy
d. sneaky
CONTEXT CLUES
The correct answer is “d – sneaky.”
How did you come up with the correct
answer?
Did you look at the context clues in the
sentence?
Did you notice the words “to sneak into
the house without being seen or
heard”?
MULTIPLE-MEANING WORDS
A multiple-meaning word is a word
that has the same spelling as
another word but a different
meaning and sometimes a different
pronunciation.
MULTIPLE-MEANING WORDS
EXAMPLE:
Jason records the number of repetitions he does on a
piece of exercise equipment and turns in his records
to the coach at the end of the week.
What does the first records mean?
Did you say “to write down”?
What does the second records mean?
Did you say “written accounts of something”?
MULTIPLE-MEANING WORDS
Let’s try some more…..
How can you use the word wind two different
ways?
EXAMPLES:
The wind blew the leaves on the tree.
When my watch stopped, I had to wind it again.
MULTIPLE-MEANING WORDS
How can you use the word hide two different
ways?
EXAMPLES:
Kevin tried to find a place to hide his money.
The rug was made from the hide of a buffalo.
MULTIPLE-MEANING WORDS
Can you think of more multiplemeaning words?