Guessing the Meaning of a Word

From Affixation

From Context

1). Definition clues

2). Example clues

3). Contrast clues

4). Inference clues

Guessing the Meaning of a Word

---from affixation

The stem, or root, is the central part of a word, bearing the basic meaning of the word.

Affixes attached to the beginning of stems are called prefixes; while suffixes are those attached to the end of the stems.

Generally, prefix changes the meaning of a word, while suffix usually changes the part of speech of a word.

root meaning example dict/dic tell, say predict; dictation graph write telegraph mit/miss send transmit; dismiss phone sound, voice telephone port carry transport scrib/script write describe; inscription vert/vers turn invert

Guessing the Meaning of New Words

---from affixation

prefix meaning example un- not unhappy mis- wrong mislead anti- against antiwar inter- between international pre- before preview re- back, again repay; repeat micro- small microscope

Guessing the Meaning of New Words

---from affixation

suffix part of speech example -ation v. --- n. exploration -er v. --- n. worker -ness a. --- n. happiness -ity a. --- n. acceptability -ify a. --- v. simplify -ize n. --- v. hospitalize -y n. --- a. sandy

Guessing the Meaning of New Words

---from affixation

Guessing the Meaning of New Words ---from context

1). Definition Clues

e.g. Alphabetism, for those as yet unaware of such a

disadvantage, refers to discrimination against those

whose surnames begin with a letter in the lower half of

the alphabet.

signal words: be, means, is called, refer to, be

defined as, be known as, be thought of as, be seen as,

be regarded as, be described as

Guessing the Meaning of New Words ---from context

2). Example Clues

e.g. Orthopterans, such as crickets, grasshoppers,

and cockroaches, thrive in damp conditions.

signal words: such as, including, for example, for

instance, to illustrate

Guessing the Meaning of New Words ---from context

3). Contrast Clues

e.g. During the concert the audience was quiet, but

afterward the crowd became boisterous.

signal words: unlike, dislike, be different from, differ

from, but, while, whereas, however, nevertheless,

although, even though, despite, on the other hand;

like, similarly, similar to

Guessing the Meaning of New Words ---from context

4). Inference Clues

e.g. My father is a versatile man; he is a successful

businessman, sportsman, author, and sports car

mechanic.

Guessing the Meaning of New Words

Limitations to Context Clues Approach

1. The meaning we get from context clues

is usually vague and very general.

2. Context clues do not always work.