5 Types of Context Clues
1 Definition Clue
The meaning is told to you directly in the sentence!
Signal words: means, is, refers to, is called
"A habitat, which is the place where an animal lives, provides food and shelter."
2 Synonym Clue
A word with the SAME meaning is nearby.
Signal words: or, also known as, that is
"The enormous, or huge, elephant walked slowly across the grass."
3 Antonym Clue
A word with the OPPOSITE meaning gives you a contrast.
Signal words: but, unlike, however, instead of
"Unlike his timid sister, Jake was bold and brave."
4 Example Clue
Examples help explain what the word means.
Signal words: such as, like, for example, including
"Reptiles, such as snakes, lizards, and turtles, are cold-blooded animals."
5 Inference Clue
You figure it out from the general meaning of the sentences around it.
No signal words—use your thinking!
"After running the marathon, Maya was exhausted. She could barely walk and went straight to bed."
Let's Try It Together!
"The ancient castle was decrepit. The walls were crumbling, the roof had holes, and the doors hung off their hinges."
Let's use our detective steps:
- STOP: The unknown word is "decrepit"
- LOOK: The clues are "crumbling walls," "holes in roof," "doors hanging off"
- THINK: These all describe something old and falling apart
- CHECK: "Decrepit" must mean old and broken down. ✓
This is an INFERENCE clue—we figured it out from the details around it!
Your Turn! Find the Context Clues
1. "The benevolent king was kind to everyone in his kingdom."
What does benevolent mean?
What type of clue helped you?
2. "Predators, such as lions, wolves, and hawks, hunt other animals for food."
What does predators mean?
What type of clue helped you?
3. "Unlike the transparent water in the swimming pool, the pond water was murky and hard to see through."
What does murky mean?
What type of clue helped you?
4. "A peninsula is a piece of land that is surrounded by water on three sides."
What does peninsula mean?
What type of clue helped you?