Why Context Clues Are Important

Context clues are hints found within a sentence or paragraph that help you figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words. By paying attention to how a word is used, you can often guess its meaning—even if you’ve never seen it before.

Types of Context Clues

• Definition: The word is defined in the sentence.
• Example: Examples are given to explain the word.
• Contrast: The word’s meaning is shown by contrasting it with another idea.

How to Use Context Clues

Read the surrounding words and sentences to get a sense of what the unfamiliar word might mean. Think about the overall message or tone.

Real-World Application

Using context clues helps you read challenging texts, understand instructions, and learn new vocabulary on your own.