IXL | Use context to identify the meaning of a word

What does flee mean? Use nearby words to help you figure out the meaning.

There is a fire in the house! We must flee!

run away

laugh

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

What does dreadful mean? Use nearby words to help you figure out the meaning.

The cookies were good, but the cake was dreadful.

bad

nice

key idea

If you don't know the meaning of a word, look for context clues. Context clues are nearby words that help you figure out the meaning of a new word.

Here are some examples:

Megan was glum when her best friend moved away.

You can guess that glum means "sad."

He said sorry, but I was still irate.

You can guess that irate means "angry."

Mr. Lee keeps his home tidy and clean.

You can guess that tidy means "neat."

Be cautious! Move slowly and watch your step.

You can guess that cautious means "careful."

solution

What does dreadful mean? Look at the underlined context clue.

The cookies were good, but the cake was dreadful.

"But" tells you that dreadful is the opposite of "good."

The context clue helps you guess that dreadful means bad.

$Confetti$

Excellent!

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