How to Use
Context Clues
to Build
Vocabulary
LIST 1
Copyright © 2015 by Ellen M. Chapman
Don’t know the
meaning of a word?
Context
Detective
It may be hiding in
plain sight …
Context clues
Can solve the
mystery.
VOCABULARY: An Educated Guess
No one knows the meaning of every word. No one.
If we stop to look up EVERY word we don’t know, reading becomes an
impossible task.
So, if we don’t look them up in the dictionary, how do we figure out the
meanings of new words?
We make an educated guess.
Educated Guess
•
An educated guess is just that: a guess.
•
An educated guess is NOT a wild guess, however. A wild guess
depends on luck.
•
An educated guess is based on clues. It is a best guess about the
meaning of a word based on evidence.
•
The ways that words are used in a sentence (the context clues) can
be helpful in making educated guesses about vocabulary.
Where to find
Context Clues
Consider the following sentence:
“Henry took one bite of the Surströmming and gagged.”
Even if you didn’t already know that Surströmming is a Swedish fermented fish dish
that smells like rotten meat, you could guess that it is a food (“took one bite”) that not
everyone loves (“and gagged”).
Seeing a word in context is one of the ways that we make meaning out of language.
Where to find
Context Clues
Words can be defined by their context in a variety of ways.
Sometimes, the sentence includes a definition of the word in question:
“The film critic called her performance a ‘jejune effort,’ which meant that
it was childish and uninteresting.”
Here, jejune clearly means “childish and uninteresting.”
Where to find
Context Clues
Sometimes, the meaning of the word is restated in the sentence:
“The man’s arms were hirsute, covered with thick, curly hair.”
In this case, we would guess that hirsute means hairy, based on the clause
“covered with thick, curly hair.”
Where to find
Context Clues
Other times, a sentence will set up a comparison that helps define a word:
“You are resplendent as the noonday sun!”
Here, the comparison with the noonday sun lets us know that resplendent has
something to do with being impressive, big, colorful, warm … like the sun.
Where to find
Context Clues
And other times, a cause and effect relationship will help define the word:
“The family’s penury prevented them from paying for the boy’s college
education.”
If penury is the cause of the family’s inability to pay for college, it must
have something to do with a lack of money. So, you can assume that
penury = poverty.
Where to find
Context Clues
Mostly, context clues can be found in the overall meaning of the sentence.
“His fine sartorial taste was reflected in his elegant wardrobe.”
Here, since the sentence is commenting on his wardrobe, sartorial should
have something to do with clothing. And it does.
A Note on Parts of Speech …
One way that we figure out the meaning of a word is to figure out its function, or part of speech.
Although there are nine parts of speech, most of these vocabulary words will fall into one of these four:
NOUN: the name of a person, place or thing (ex: table)
ADJECTIVE: a word modifying (describing) a noun (ex: round table)
VERB: a word denoting an action (ex: walk), occurrence (ex: happen), or state of being (ex: be)
ADVERB: a word modifying a verb (ex: walk briskly, happen suddenly, really am)
Word endings can change the part of speech. So, for example, the adjective SLOW can be changed into
an adverb by adding –ly at the end (SLOWLY) or into a noun by adding –ness at the end (SLOWNESS).
The sentences you will see may use more than one form of the same word. So, for example, the word
ABATE (a verb), can be used as a noun (ABATEMENT) or in the past tense (ABATED).
All of the forms of a word are useful context clues.
Give it a try!
On the following slides, you’ll see a word in bold followed by ten sentences using that
word. On your Vocabulary Word Chart:
1.
Write a definition of your own (or a synonym) based on the context clues
you’ve seen. Discuss.
2.
Check your definition against the provided dictionary definition and synonyms.
You’ll be surprised at how often you can guess correctly!
3.
Note the part of speech (or parts of speech) of each word. This will help you
understand the different ways in which it can be used.
4.
Finally, draw a pictograph (a picture that reflects the meaning) of each word.
This will help you remember the meaning of the word the next time you see it.
yearn
Pause a moment to write an original definition or
synonym for this word based on these context clues.
1.
I yearn for the day when people can live in peace.
2.
The high school seniors all yearned for the day of their graduation.
3.
When I was a kid, I yearned for Christmas all year long.
4.
She went to medical school because she had always yearned to heal people.
5.
Delilah was in love with Ralph, and she yearned to be with him every minute.
6.
Oh how I yearn for the beginning of summer vacation!
7.
The man yearned for the day when he would get to his desired weight and would be able to go off his
diet.
8.
Once banished to Mantua, Romeo yearned for news of his beloved Juliet back in Verona.
9.
Reading so many adventure books made Roy yearn to have an adventure of his own.
10. The fans lined up outside of the theatre, each yearning to catch a glimpse of the movie star.
yearn
DEFINITION: (v) to
have an intense feeling of
longing for something
SYNONYMS: want, crave,
long
abet
Pause a moment to write an original definition or
synonym for this word based on these context clues.
1.
He wasn’t guilty of murder, but he was found guilty of abetting the crime by driving the get-away car.
2.
If you aid and abet student cheating, you will also get in trouble.
3.
Few of us want to interfere with the security checks at the airport for fear that we would end up
abetting a terrorist act.
4.
People who buy stolen goods are aiding and abetting the criminals.
5.
The students wanted to protest the principal's decision to shut down the school newspaper, so they
staged a sit-in at the administrative offices. The principal accused them of abetting the disruption of
learning that day.
6.
We shall strike hard at terrorists and those who abet them.
7.
The president believes that the media have abetted the feeling of insecurity during this time of trouble.
8.
He abetted his cousin in robbing the bank.
9.
He is charged with arson as well as aiding and abetting.
10. Brittani had a crush on Johnny, so she abetted the breakup between Johnny and Tiffani by spreading
rumors that Tiffani had kissed Chad at the football game.
abet
DEFINITION: (v) to
encourage or assist
(someone) to do
something wrong, in
particular, to commit a
crime or other offense
SYNONYMS: incite,
provoke, egg on
servile
Pause a moment to write an original definition or
synonym for this word based on these context clues.
1.
Mr. Wimpy had no self esteem and would bow his head in a servile manner to those of higher rank.
2.
The maid was required to say, "Yes, m'am," and "No, m'am" to her employers. She felt this was degrading
and servile, and she hated it.
3.
When Killer, the alpha dog, greeted any of the smaller dogs in the neighborhood, they would tuck their tails
between their legs and make a servile display to show that they knew he was boss.
4.
Some children are required to call all adults "Mr." or "Mrs." Others come from homes where this is
considered to be insulting and servile behavior. In these homes, children call adults by their first names.
5.
Some women fear that they will revert to a housewife status as servile as their grandmothers’.
6.
It is possible to show a person respect without making a servile display such as a bow.
7.
John Brown tried to start a servile revolt amongst American slaves. This helped trigger the Civil War.
8.
No actor wants to always be cast in servile roles, playing housekeepers or maids.
9.
Although it's nice to receive a compliment now and then, no woman wants to spend time with a servile
flatterer.
10. Slaves were required to show absolute and servile obedience to their masters; this was one of the most
dehumanizing aspects of the institution.
servile
DEFINITION: (adj)
having or showing an
excessive willingness to
serve or please others;
relating to slavery
SYNONYMS: fawning,
obedient, slavish
abate
Pause a moment to write an original definition or
synonym for this word based on these context clues.
1.
Hopefully, the storm will soon abate and the plane will be able to take off.
2.
Sometimes, in an effort to abate the mosquito problem, city government will spray the entire city with
insecticide. I’d prefer the mosquitoes.
3.
Dr. Frankenstein offered special deals on plastic surgery in an effort to abate the anger of the mob.
4.
The mother bought a new toy in an effort to abate her child’s tantrum.
5.
Ira’s enthusiasm for ballroom dancing abated after his pants split open during a performance.
6.
In order to abate the growing government deficit, Congress voted to increase taxes.
7.
The teacher ordered everyone to stand up and stretch in an effort to abate the students’ sleepiness.
8.
Old houses are often covered in lead paint, which is poisonous. Lead abatement is a process by which
the lead paint is safely removed.
9.
His love never abated for his wife, even after 50 years of marriage. It was a match made in heaven.
10. His enthusiasm for baseball was as great on his last day in the major leagues as it was on his first; his
love for the game never abated.
abate
DEFINITION: (v) to
cause to become smaller
or less intense
SYNONYMS: decrease,
diminish, reduce
wrangle
Pause a moment to write an original definition or
synonym for this word based on these context clues.
1.
The cowboy had to wrangle the cattle into the corrals.
2.
The political wrangling went on for weeks before the bill was passed into law.
3.
An insurance wrangle is holding up compensation payments.
4.
Let's agree on the general idea now; we can wrangle over the details later.
5.
The lawyers wrangled over the complicated document for weeks.
6.
The other portion the president has managed to wrangle from private donors.
7.
How did you wrangle the actress into agreeing to do such a small cameo in the movie?
8.
There was a bit of a wrangle over how much money to give the high school for its sports programs.
9.
He made a living wrangling horses.
10. They had a bitter wrangle over custody of their children.
wrangle
DEFINITION: (v) to
have a long and
complicated argument
SYNONYMS: brawl,
hassle, squabble
vilify
Pause a moment to write an original definition or
synonym for this word based on these context clues.
1.
He has been vilified in the press, but it isn't fair; he isn't really a bad guy.
2.
Republicans like to vilify Democrats, and Democrats like to vilify Republicans; really they should all
just try harder to get along.
3.
Just because one kid cheats doesn't mean you need to vilify the entire class.
4.
The students at Dingbat Academy tended to vilify Principal Gotcha, for he took genuine pleasure in
punishing innocent kids.
5.
The racist senator argued for segregation, but he was vilified in the press for his comments.
6.
He claimed that he had been vilified by the press because of his conservative views.
7.
Joan hates Nancy and vilifies her to other people whenever she gets the chance.
8.
When you disagree with someone, you should engage him in conversation, not vilify him by using ugly
labels.
9.
When we are threatened by those who do not agree with our opinions, we often choose to vilify them
to others.
10. Unfortunately, the internet and social media have made it very easy for people to vilify their enemies.
vilify
DEFINITION: (v) to
speak or write about
someone or something in
an abusively negative
way
SYNONYMS: speak ill of,
bad mouth, slur
loll
Pause a moment to write an original definition or
synonym for this word based on these context clues.
1.
We have a lot to do; we can't afford to loll around all day.
2.
It was a lazy summer day, and the girls were happy to loll on the beach all day.
3.
When he passed out, his head lolled to the side and his eyes rolled up.
4.
After running the race, he slumped against a tree trunk, his head lolling back.
5.
It was a lovely day to loll around by the side of the pool.
6.
Two cats loll on the window sill in the afternoon heat.
7.
The dog's tongue lolled happily out of its mouth after his long run.
8.
Under the trees, families loll in hammocks on listless Sunday afternoons.
9.
The flag was draped loosely over the mast and it lolled in the breeze.
10. If all you do is loll about all day playing video games, you will become fat and dull-witted.
loll
DEFINITION: (v) to sit,
lie, or stand in a lazy,
relaxed way
SYNONYMS: slouch, goof
off, lounge
abode
Pause a moment to write an original definition or
synonym for this word based on these context clues.
1.
"Welcome to my humble abode," the man said as he ushered his guests into his home.
2.
They just moved, so their current abode is still full of unpacked boxes.
3.
I wandered the streets until I found his new abode.
4.
The Queen of England might call Buckingham Palace her "humble abode" even though it is a palace.
5.
The Pope's abode is at the Vatican in Rome.
6.
The beavers stacked logs across the stream to build their abode, and in so doing created a pond.
7.
Although the old elephant still dreamed of the African savannah, for many years she had made her
abode at the London Zoo. At least the food was good.
8.
Gujarat's Gir sanctuary in India is the last abode of the Asiatic lion.
9.
Hoarders collect more belongings than can fit in their abodes.
10. Many people look into the night sky and believe they are seeing the possible abodes of other life forms.
abode
DEFINITION: (n) a
house or home
SYNONYMS: dwelling,
home, house
callous
Pause a moment to write an original definition or
synonym for this word based on these context clues.
1.
Mr. Snidely was very callous when he assigned homework over the Thanksgiving holiday.
2.
The executioner had a callous disregard for the feelings of the man he was about to kill.
3.
The man had worked with his hands all his life and they were rough and callous from use.
4.
Sometimes girls can say mean, even callous, things when they argue.
5.
My dentist likes to hurt people; she has a callous attitude toward her patients.
6.
The general sent many men to their deaths in battle, but it never really bothered him. Some would call
him callous, others would just say he just accepted the realities of war.
7.
Only a very callous teacher would announce a failing student’s grades out loud to the class.
8.
Some teachers don’t let their students create art freely; they callously criticize every effort at creativity.
9.
The bully had a callous attitude toward others; he did not care how he hurt them.
10. The rhinoceros had a callous hide; it was thick and hard to puncture.
callous
DEFINITION: (adj)
showing or having an
insensitive and cruel
disregard for others
SYNONYMS: coldblooded, unsympathetic,
unfeeling
gaudy
Pause a moment to write an original definition or
synonym for this word based on these context clues.
1.
The dress had too many ruffles and sequins and was considered gaudy by most people.
2.
Nowadays, women wear bright nail polish and adhesive nail gems that would have been considered gaudy in
my mother's day.
3.
The Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain, is a very ornate, even gaudy, basilica designed in the Gothic style.
Ironically it was designed by an architect named Antoni Gaudí.
4.
In the 1960s, women wore very heavy eye makeup that would be considered gaudy today.
5.
For some reason, musicians often use gaudy costumes when they perform. From Liberace to Elton John to
today's rappers, sequins and other bling have defined the look.
6.
The store's gaudy pink and orange sign attracted a certain type of customer and repelled others.
7.
I prefer tasteful Christmas decorations and consider those inflatable lawn Santas to be gaudy.
8.
Little girls often make fashion choices, such as purple tutus, that adults consider to be gaudy.
9.
Mr. Marvelous has ten replica Greek statues in his front yard. His neighbors hate having to look at such a
gaudy display.
10. My mother insists on wearing a big daisy in her hair each day. I think this is a little gaudy for an 80 year old
woman.
gaudy
DEFINITION: (adj)
extravagantly bright or
showy, typically so as to
be tasteless
SYNONYMS: tasteless,
flashy, garish
Context
Detective
For additional Context Detective
vocabulary units and other related
curriculum, please visit my TpT store at:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Ellen-Chapman
All images in this PowerPoint are used under license
from Shutterstock.com or are in the public domain.
Copyright © 2015 by Ellen M. Chapman