Context Clues

Sometimes, when we read a given portion of text, we're not entirely sure what's going on.
This is
where context clues come in. Context clues provide further information about a word or phrase
that helps readers understand its meaning. These clues offer insight - either directly or indirectly
- into the portion of text that's difficult to understand. Let's explore various examples of context
clues to see how they work.
Synonyms as Context Clues

The most basic, and perhaps helpful, type of context clues are synonyms. If you can't decipher a
meaning, adding a few synonyms, or words with similar meanings, is a surefire way to point to a
word's meaning. Let's take a look at a few examples:
 It was an idyllic day - sunny, warm, and perfect for a walk in the park.
 She hums continuously, or all the time, and it annoys me.
 The crime he committed was egregious; he'll never recover from this horrendous scandal.
 His animosity, or hatred, of his sister divided the family.
 Bill felt remorse, or shame, for his harsh words.
 This situation is a conundrum, a puzzle that's difficult to solve.
Definitions as Context Clues

A synonym is one way to understand meaning. But, how about a straightforward definition? It's
hard to misconstrue a context clue when the actual definition is provided. Here are a few
examples:
 The manager wanted a weekly inspection, which is a methodical examination of all the
equipment.
 Diane was lethargic; she didn't have the energy to get out of bed.
 The dates are listed in chronological order; they start at the beginning and end with the
last event.
 The doctor's writing was utterly illegible; no one could read those scribbles.
 She heard the cry of the banshee, a spirit that alludes to the death of a family member.
 He knew his future was precarious and likely to fall apart.
Antonyms as Context Clues

Sometimes, the best way to understand something is to understand what not to do or what
something isn't. In the same way, an antonym, or an opposite, can convey meaning. If you point
out the differences, you can come to understand each component better.
 Marty is gregarious, unlike his brother who is quiet and shy.

 Attempting to avoid the accident was futile; it was impossible for either of them to stop in
time.
 This painting of the landscape is picturesque, while the one of the old house is just plain
ugly.
 The feral cat would not let us pet him, unlike our friendly cat.
 Our sweltering summer days were quickly replaced by the cold flashes of fall.
 She was virtuous, unlike her evil and conniving brother.
Explanations as Context Clues

Has a friend or family member ever asked you to just come right out with it? Sometimes, readers
don't want to search for your meaning. Instead, if you provide a bigger picture and offer added
detail or context, the reader will come to understand the tricky word. Here are some examples:
 The team was elated because they just found out they placed in the semifinals.
 During the demonstration, a skirmish broke out so the police were called to restore order.
 We know the dog has a kind disposition because we've never seen her bite or scratch
anyone.
 I called him a nuisance because he annoyed me with his incessant line of questioning.
 Something in the refrigerator is so putrid, a wave of odor wafted out when we opened the
door.
 It's no surprise he winced in pain after hitting his thumb with the hammer.
Decode Context Clues

Even the most esteemed intellectuals have to look up a word from time to time. However, in the
moments when we don't have access to our cell phones or laptops, a couple strong context clues
might help us understand a given line's meaning.
In the meantime, there are a couple ways to ward off your uncertainty surrounding new words or
phrases. Make it a goal to increase your vocabulary. These tips will help you set sail on a lifetime
of learning.
Definition of Denotation
Denotation is generally defined as literal or dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to its
connotative or associated meanings.
Let us try to understand this term with the help of an example. If you search for the meaning of
the word “dove” in a dictionary, you will see that its meaning is “a type of pigeon, a wild and
domesticated bird having a heavy body and short legs.” In literature, however, you frequently see
“dove” used to mean a symbol of peace.
Denotation and Connotation

In literary works, we find it a common practice with writers to deviate from the dictionary
meanings of words to create fresher ideas and images. Such deviations from the literal meanings
are referred to as “figurative language,” or “literary devices,” e.g. metaphors, similes,
personifications, hyperboles, understatements, paradoxes, and puns. Even in our daily
conversation, we diverge from the dictionary meanings of words, preferring connotative or
associated meanings of words in order to accurately convey our message.
Below is a list of some common deviations from denotative meanings of words that we
experience in our day-to-day life:
 Dog – suggests shamelessness or an ugly face.

 Dove – suggests peace or gentility.
 Home – suggests family, comfort, and security.
 Politician – suggests negative connotation of wickedness and insincerity
 Pushy – suggests someone is loud-mouthed and irritating.
 Mom and Dad – when used instead of “mother and father” suggest loving parents.
Short Examples of Denotation

1. She recognized the lovely aroma of her mother’s cooking. (Smell)
2. Vegetables are an inexpensive (Cheap)
3. Hanna’s interest in interior decoration has turned into her leisure pursuit. (Hobby)
4. Aunt Jolly lives in a hut deep down in the forest. (Cabin)
5. I stopped for brunch at a diner situated in the bay area. (Café)
6. His parents are conservationists. (Environmentalists)
7. My old computer has died. (Venerable)
8. In a stealthy and quiet way, Bob entered into his lawyer’s chambers. (Cautious)
9. The son was somewhat intimidated by father’s assertive (Confident)
10. Ben is an adventurous (Courageous)
11. Emily moved around the shore and stopped to take rest. (Relax)
12. The man is flocking together young sheep. (Lambs)
13. Harry has a pet and keeps it in a cage. (tamed animal)
14. Sara forgot her sweater at home and is cold during her walk. (Chilly)
15. John returns to his home (Family)
Connotative Words: Examples and Exercises

To see more example of how words with similar denotations can have positive, neutral or
negative connotations, refer to the chart below:
Positive Connotation Neutral Connotation Negative Connotation

interested questioning nosy
employ use exploit
thrifty saving stingy
steadfast tenacious stubborn
sated filled crammed
courageous confident conceited
unique different peculiar
meticulous selective picky
vintage old decrepit
elated happy manic
Now that you're more familiar with connotative words see how well you do with these fun
exercises:
Connotation Exercise 1
Below are groups of similar words used to describe people. What is the connotation of each
word? (Scroll down for the answers.)
1. Childlike, Youthful, Childish, Young

2. Disabled, Crippled, Handicapped, Retarded
3. Relaxed, Laid-back, Lackadaisical, Easygoing
4. Slim, Skinny, Slender, Thin
5. Cheap, Frugal, Miserly, Economical
6. Adolescent, Immature, Juvenile, Innocent
7. Inquisitive, Interested, Curious, Prying
8. Confident, Secure, Proud, Egotistical
9. Lovely, Knockout, Beautiful, Stunning
10. Talkative, Conversational, Chatty, Jabbering
Connotation Exercise 2
Read the sentences below. Can you identify the words that have a negative connotation? (Scroll
down for the answers.)
1. Bedford is a gritty neighborhood, but the rents are low.

2. On my flight to Los Angeles, I sat next to this babe. She was absolutely stunning.
3. Every morning my neighbor takes his mutt to the park. It always barks loudly when leaving the
building.
4. You need to be pushy when you are looking for a job.
5. Bob is bullheaded sometimes, but he always gets the job done.
Use Context to Get a Sense of the Word

It takes practice to understand both the connotation and denotation of a new word, but it's well
worth the effort to do so. The best way to learn a word's connotation is to read it in a sentence or
two to get a sense of how it is used. You can also compare how synonyms are used to understand
which ones are positive, negative or neutral to help you select the best word for your purposes.
For further examples of how connotation can be used to good effect in your writing read
Connotation in Literature Examples.
Answers for Exercise 1:
1. "Childish" has a negative connotation implying an adult behaving immaturely. "Youthful" implies
lively and energetic, while "childlike" implies a sense of wonder, so both are positive. "Young" is
neutral.
2. "Crippled," "handicapped," and "retarded" all have negative connotations and are now
considered offensive. This is an example of how connotations can change over time. Because
"disabled" is neutral, it's an acceptable choice.
3. "Relaxed" is neutral, while "lackadaisical" tends to be negative and implies laziness. "Laid-back"
and "easygoing" are positive personality traits.
4. "Skinny" implies that someone is too thin and therefore has a negative connotation. "Thin" is
the most neutral, while "slim" and "slender" are more positive and considered complimentary.
5. "Cheap," "frugal" and "miserly" all have the negative connotation of being stingy. "Economical"
has a neutral to positive connotation.
6. "Immature" is most negative, while "juvenile" is slightly negative to neutral. "Adolescent" is
neutral. "Innocent" is positive,implying something unspoiled.
7. "Inquisitive" and "curious" are neutral, while "interested" puts a positive spin on it. "Prying" has
a negative connotation.
8. "Confident" and "proud" are positive, while "secure" is a neutral description of this trait.
"Egotistical" is a negative way of looking at self-confidence as something that borders on self-
centeredness.
9. Although "knockout" can be taken as a compliment, it can also have a negative, sexist
connotation. "Lovely," "beautiful," and "stunning" have more reliably positive connotations.
10. "Conversational" has a neutral connotation; "talkative" can fall between neutral and negative,
while "jabbering" has the negative connotation of causing annoyance. "Chatty" has a positive,
friendly tone.
Answers for Exercise 2:
1. Gritty
2. Babe
3. Mutt
4. Pushy
5. Bullheaded

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Sometimes, when we read a given portion of text, we're not entirely sure what's going on.

Synonyms as Context Clues

Definitions as Context Clues

Antonyms as Context Clues

 Marty is gregarious, unlike his brother who is quiet and shy.

Explanations as Context Clues

Decode Context Clues

Denotation and Connotation

 Dog – suggests shamelessness or an ugly face.

Short Examples of Denotation

Connotative Words: Examples and Exercises

Positive Connotation Neutral Connotation Negative Connotation

1. Childlike, Youthful, Childish, Young

1. Bedford is a gritty neighborhood, but the rents are low.

Use Context to Get a Sense of the Word

Answers for Exercise 1:

Answers for Exercise 2:

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