Understanding Vocabulary
Readers often figure out the meanings of words without resorting to dictionaries. They figure out the meanings using clues within the book.
1. Look at the grammar.
- Â If the word is a verb, what is another verb that would make sense in the sentence?
- If the word is a proper noun, is it the name of a person or place?
- If the word is a common noun, can you think of another word that would make sense in the sentence?
2. Look around for a definition.
- Look for a synonym in a sentence near by.
- Look for examples that start with ‘such as’ or ‘like’ or ‘including’.
- Look for an antonym in a phrase that starts with ‘but’ or ‘although’.If you are reading a novel, look for an appositive after the word, a definition placed between commas or dashes.
- Look for an explanation in the preceding or following sentences that can help you infer the meaning of the unknown word.
- If you are reading a nonfiction book, look for a phrase that starts with ‘is’ or ‘refers to’ or ‘that means’.
- If you are reading a textbook, look for a definition in the margin or a glossary at the end.
3. Analyze the word.
- Is there a root word you understand?
4. Use your background knowledge to infer the meaning.
- What would make sense?   • How would I feel in that situation?
 Click HERE to go to a website with practice questions.
Click HERE to go to slide show.
Click HERE to go to a more detailed slide show.
Hautzig, Esther. The Endless Steppe. New York: HarperTrophy, 1968.
|
Word |
Page |
Strategy |
Definition |
|
abstraction |
30 |
I used the appositive to figure out what it meant. |
Absence of mind, not really a big deal. |
|
sardonic |
31 |
I found an explanation in a preceding sentence. |
You don’t like the person you’re saying something to. Showing disrespect. |
|
gallows |
44 |
It was an adjective describing humor. I found an explanation in the preceding sentence. |
Unpleasant, serious, mean. |
|
oppressed |
45 |
The verb before oppressed was feel, so I knew it was a feeling. I could tell from the mood in the preceding sentences I could tell what the definition was. |
Feeling of being treated harshly.
|
|
grandiose |
62 |
The following sentence gave the explanation |
Sounding impressive but not really very good |
|
|
kerosene |
78 |
The following noun was lamp. So I knew it was a type of lamp. I knew it was a special type because it said it was a luxury earlier in the sentence. |
Special type of lamp. |
|
|
yahrzeit |
111 |
The following noun was candle. Then it talked about this candle being used during a time of mourning. |
A type of candle used during a time of mourning. |
|
|
curtly |
126 |
The following sentence gave the explanation. |
Strictly, rudely or abruptly. |
|
|
fufaika |
127 |
I used the appositive before the word. |
Green, quilted jacket. |
|
|
surreptitiously |
158 |
The following sentence gave the explanation |
Doing something in a stealth mode. |
|
|
sheepishly |
165 |
There is a root word I understand but I don’t think sheep has anything to do with it. So I used the quotations before the word to find the explanation. |
Foolish or wrong. |
|
|
fastidiously |
170 |
I got the definition from the preceding and following sentences after the appositive. |
Hard to please. (by Bradley in grade eight) |
|
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