Definition of «context clues»

Context clues are hints or pieces of information within a text that help readers understand unfamiliar words or phrases. They provide an indication of the word's meaning based on its use in the sentence, allowing readers to infer the definition without having prior knowledge of the term.

Usage examples

When reading a difficult passage, you can use context clues to help you determine the meanings of unfamiliar words.
In a sentence like "The hiker slipped on the icy slope," the phrase "slipped" and the word "icy" provide context clues that suggest the slope is slippery due to being covered in ice.
The author used context clues such as "the sun was setting" and "the air was getting colder" to imply that it was getting late in the day.
To solve the crossword puzzle, you need to use context clues provided by the surrounding words and the given letter count for each clue.
In a conversation, if someone says "I lost my keys," the context clues suggest that the person can't find their house or car keys.

Sentences with «context clues»

Help your students flex their vocabulary muscles with this lesson on using context clues. (education.com)
A reading specialist helps students understand word meanings and the function of context clues. (sadlier.com)
Look around you for context clues about what might be the problem and help him solve it in a calm and clear manner. (verywellfamily.com)
(see all sentences)

Definition of «context clues»

Usage examples

Sentences with «context clues»

See also