Word in Context

Sometimes when reading, you might run across an unfamiliar word. When this occurs, you can use context clues to help decipher the meaning of the word. Context clues are hints in a text that can help define a word.

Example: The Rocky Mountain National Park is home to different types of terrain. Some places have wide, open meadows. Other areas are inhabited by evergreen trees and mountain lakes. There are also basin areas that are filled with glaciers.

What does the word terrain mean?

• wide, open meadows
• evergreen trees and mountain lakes
• basins with glaciers

These examples help indicate that the word terrain refers to the natural features of an area.

The unfamiliar word is defined in the same sentence or in a sentence that is close by in the text. This is generally the most helpful type of context clue.

What does the word refuge mean?

Definition:

• A place where they could be safe.

Analogies can help show the relationship between words. An antonym is a word that has an opposite meaning while a synonym is a word that has the same or a similar meaning to another word. Understanding antonyms and synonyms of different words can help clarify their meanings.

Example: The man who stole millions of dollars from the healthcare company felt no remorse whatsoever for his actions at the trial. In fact, he told the jury that he was proud of how clever he had been to pull off the scheme in the first place!

What does the word remorse mean?

ANTONYM

(...) he was proud of how clever he had been to pull off the scheme (...)

The word proud means feeling pleasure or satisfaction.

The word remorse means guilt or regret.

Example: The statue remained stationary even as the hurricane raged throughout the city. It was one of the few things that was unmoved by the strong winds and rains.

What does the word stationary means?

SYNONYM:

unmoved

The word stationary means "not moving" or "standing still."