Definition
Explanation
Synonym
Experience
Antonym
Knowledge of Subject
Examples
The first way to figure out the meaning of a word is from its
context. The context is the other words and sentences that are
around the new word. When you figure out the meaning of a word
from context, you are making a guess about what the word
means. To do this, you use the hints and clues of the other words
and sentences. You won't always be right, but many times you will
be. You might not be able to guess the exact meaning of a word,
but you may be close enough to get the meaning of the sentence
it is in. A basic strategy for unlocking the meaning of an unfamiliar
word is to search the context of the sentence in which a new word
appears for clues. Sometimes this can be easy to do because the
author may have provided a definition or a synonym right there
next to or near a term that you can use to unlock its meaning.
A definition is a statement giving the meaning of a word.
A synonym is a word that means almost the same as another.
For example, read the following sentence: "Don't think of words as
separate, discrete items, or entities." What is the meaning of the
word entities? The definition is right there - separate, discrete
items. But what is the meaning of discrete? The meaning of that
word is right there too--separate.
When in doubt about the meaning of an unfamiliar word, look
around in the sentence; check to see if there is a definition or
synonym clue to help you unlock meaning.
Another kind of context clue (in addition to definitions and
synonyms embedded in sentences) is a word or words of opposite
meaning (antonym) set somewhere near a word that is unfamiliar.
If you find a word or words of opposite meaning and you recognize
it or them, you are "home free." You can unlock the meaning of
the unfamiliar word.
For example, read the following sentence: "I was not exactly
enamored of the travel plans my agent made for me; my lack of
enthusiasm was triggered by the eight-hour layover required
between flights." What is the meaning of the word enamored? You
can use the context of the sentence to reason in this
way: Enamored of means just the opposite of lacking in
enthusiasm for.
Strategy
Definition
Example/illustration
Contrast
Logic
Grammar
Using context clues to figure out unknown words is a well-known vocabulary strategy.
Graves and Graves (1994) make a distinction between teaching vocabulary and
teaching concepts. Teaching vocabulary is teaching new labels for familiar concepts. It's
Context alone cannot substitute for direct vocabulary instruction. Some words
will need to be taught before readers can comprehend a text. Nagy et al. (1987) found
that students who read grade-level texts under natural conditions have about one in
twenty chance of learning meaning from context. Baumann and Kameenui (1991)
agree that learning words through context clues is limited at best. They offer several
Context clues are relatively ineffective means for inferring the meaning of
specific words.
Students are more apt to learn specific new vocabulary when definitional
used in isolation.
Sometimes readers can figure out word meanings from the context or from their prior
knowledge of the concept. Below are some strategies students can use to figure out the
Read the sentence without the word. Can you figure out what word you
Look at the word in relation to the sentence and full paragraph. Can you
Look at the page where the word is located to see if there is an illustration
Look the word up in a dictionary and see if any of the meanings fit the
sentence.
However, there will be times when there are few or no context clues in a passage or the
students lack the background knowledge to make using context clues a useful strategy.
Traditionally, vocabulary instruction has been based upon grade level word lists. One
problem with word lists (Nagy, 1988) is that they treat all words as having equal
importance in a text. Brozo and Simpson (2003) suggest a four-step process for
Determine what you want your students to learn from the reading of the
graphic organizer).
Identify the general words that are not necessarily central to the theme of
the unit, but that lend themselves to various word-learning strategies that
which it appears?"
If No, then you select other words that are more important.
currently taught?"
The more frequent a word is, the greater the chances that students
Lastly, the best source of information about what words to teach is the students
themselves. Informally assess what words your students know before you start
Hello Bubblers! Today, I'm sharing you on how to arrive through the meaning of words by
simple analysis in its formation.
Arriving at the meaning of a word may require knowing its roots. This is an initial strategy for
finding its meaning.
What is a root word? It is basically the first unit, or the original form of the word.
For example, the word "engineer." Its root is "engine" and we added the suffix -er, changing
its meaning.
Analyzing a word by breaking it down to its original form and structure is very helpful when
you are just browsing over a selection or scanning it, and you do not have a dictionary on
hand to help you define the meaning of a difficult word you have come across.
Some words are formed around Greek or Latin roots. A root is the part of the word that
contains the basic meaning of a word. Tracing the origin of these roots can help you figure
out the basic meanings of unfamiliar words.
Some words in English are derived from languages all over the world. Usually Greek, Latin,
Spanish, or Cantonese.
Here are some common Greek and Latin roots and their meanings.
Here are few words and their root of origin and meaning.
1. Adolescence
-adolescere
-Latin word which means "to grow up."
2. Argue
-arguere
-Latin word which means "to make clear", "assert"
3. Robot
-Robota
-Czech word meaning "work", "compulsary service"
4. Typhoon
-taai + jung
-Cantonese (China) words meaning "great" and "wind"
5. Kindergarten
-kinder + garten
-German words meaning "children" and "garden"