This document discusses different types of context clues that can help understand the meaning of unfamiliar words. There are 9 types of context clues: 1) definition, 2) synonym, 3) antonym, 4) comparison, 5) explanation, 6) cause-effect, 7) list or series, 8) inference, and 9) description. Examples are provided for each type to illustrate how context clues in a sentence provide meaning for an unfamiliar word. The overall goal is to help readers identify word meanings through context.

1. Noting
Context
Clues

2. Objectives:
1. identify the meaning of words
through context clues;
2. give examples of the different types
of context clues;
3. express appreciation to local
culture; and
4. write a paragraph using one or
more types of context clues.

3. Context clues are
words
that appear in sentences to
help understand the
meanings of difficult words.

4. Different Types
1. by Definition
• the unfamiliar word is defined in a
sentence
Example:
• A treasure hunter is a person who
searches for treasures from sunken
ships and ancient tombs to obtain
valuable relics and artifacts.
(definition: a person who searches for
treasures)

5. Practice:
The dudeen – a short-stemmed
clay pipe
– is found in Irish folk tales.
Fluoroscopy, examination with a
fluoroscope, has become a
common practice.

6. 2. by Synonym
• a similar word is placed in the same
sentence to know
the meaning of the unfamiliar word
Example:
• It is common for Filipinos to feel
compassion or pity
for the suffering of their fellowmen.
(synonym: pity)

7. Practice
Flooded with spotlights – the focus of all
attention – the new Miss America began
her year-long reign. She was the cynosure
of all eyes for the rest of the evening.
The mountain pass was a tortuous
road, winding and
twisting like a snake around the trees of the
mountainside.

8. (antonym: thin)
3. by Antonym
• an opposite word is placed in the same
sentence.
• Example:
•Among the siblings of thin body
structure, Isabel is the only one who is
portly.

9. Practice
When the light brightens, the pupils of
the eyes contract; however, when it
grows darker, they dilate.
The children were as different as day
and night.
He was a lively conversationalist, but
she was reserved and taciturn.

10. (comparison: rotten fish)
4. by Comparison
• a similar word with the same
meaning of the unfamiliar word is
placed with an object to be compared
Example:
• The stench of the garbage was like
the smell of a rotten fish.

11. Practice
My brother is enthralled by birds similar to
the way that I am fascinated by insects.
The stench of the old shoes was like the
smell of garbage.

12. (explanation: house rules that he should
have done)
Example:
•Matthew had few infractions of the house
rules that he should have done as part of
his responsibilities.
6. by Explanation
•a description is given to understand the
meaning of the unfamiliar word

13. Practice
The archeologist found different
amulets, such as a rabbit’s foot and
bags of herb.
We know the dog has a kind
disposition because we’ve never seen
her bite or scratch anyone.

14. (cause: only a few followed the wearing
of face mask)
7. by Cause-Effect
• the meaning of the difficult word
depends on the cause effect
relationship of other words as
expressed in the sentence
Example:
• Since only a few followed the wearing
of face mask, it
was made mandatory by the
government.

15. Practice
Because the conflagration was aided
by wind, it was so destructive that
every building in the area was
completely burned to the ground.
She wanted to impress all her dinner
guests with the food she served, so she
carefully studied the necessary
culinary arts.

16. (list: souvenir programs, flyers, leaflets,
plastic bottles, food wrappings)
8. by List or Series of clues
• to understand the meaning of the
unknown word, it is included in a series
of words given in a sentence.
Example:
• After the program, the rubbish left
were souvenir programs,
flyers, leaflets plastic bottles, and food
wrappings.

17. Polychromatic means the art contains
more than two colors.
The painting was polychromatic,
multicolored, vivid and colorful.
Practice

18. (description: harsh words, disruptive
action, offensive behavior)
• Example:
•When one shows belligerence, harsh
words, disruptive actions, and offensive
behaviors can be observed.
9. by Inference
• to understand the meaning of the
unknown word, one has to make a guess
based on the description given in the
sentence

19. Practice
She told her friend, “I’m through with
blind dates
forever. What a dull evening! I was
bored every
minute. The conversation was
absolutely vapid.”
Vapid means uninterested.