Word Meanings | Student Worksheet

How Do We Figure Out Word Meanings?

When you encounter an unfamiliar word, you have powerful tools to figure it out: context clues (hints in the surrounding text), word parts (roots, prefixes, suffixes), and understanding connotation (the feeling a word carries). Let's master these vocabulary strategies!

Strategy 1: Context Clues - CLUES Method

Circle the unknown word | Look at surrounding sentences | Understand the clue type | Examine to predict meaning | Substitute your prediction

Definition Clue

The meaning is stated directly in the sentence

"A habitat, the natural environment where an animal lives, is essential for survival."

Example Clue

Examples help show what the word means

"Vertebrates, such as dogs, birds, and fish, all have backbones."

Synonym Clue

A similar word is used nearby

"The frigid air was so cold that we could see our breath."

Antonym Clue

An opposite word gives a hint

"Unlike her timid brother, Sarah was bold and outspoken."

Inference Clue

You must use logic and details to figure out the meaning

"After the long hike without water, Maria was parched. She drank three bottles of water as soon as she got home."

Strategy 2: Word Parts - Break It Down!

un-
(not) + -break-
(break) + -able
(able to be) = "not able to be broken"

Root	Meaning	Examples
aud	hear	audience, audible, auditorium
bio	life	biography, biology, antibiotic
dict	say, speak	dictate, predict, dictionary
port	carry	transport, portable, export
spec/spect	see, look	inspect, spectator, perspective
rupt	break	interrupt, erupt, disrupt

Common Prefixes: un- (not), re- (again), pre- (before), mis- (wrong), dis- (not/opposite)

Common Suffixes: -able/-ible (can be), -tion/-sion (act of), -er/-or (one who), -less (without), -ful (full of)

Strategy 3: Denotation vs. Connotation

Denotation = Dictionary definition (what it literally means)
Connotation = Emotional feeling (positive, negative, or neutral vibes)

Negative

Positive

Negative	Neutral	Positive
cheap	inexpensive	affordable
stubborn	determined	persistent
nosy	curious	inquisitive
scrawny	thin	slender

Same basic meaning, different feelings! Authors choose words carefully to create specific effects.

Multiple-Meaning Words

Many words have more than one meaning! Always use context to figure out which definition applies.
Example: "The bank was closed." (Financial institution? Or the side of a river?)
Look at the surrounding sentences to determine the correct meaning!

Your Turn! Practice Using Context Clues

1. "The ancient artifact was so fragile that the museum kept it in a special case. Even a slight touch could cause it to crumble."

What does "fragile" mean?

What type of context clue helped you?

2. Use word parts to figure out the meaning of "autobiography":

auto (self) + bio (life) + graph (write) =

3. Circle the word with the POSITIVE connotation:

The politician was ( pushy / assertive ) in the debate.

Why does the word you chose have a more positive feeling?

4. "The spectators in the stadium cheered loudly for their team."

Based on the root "spect" (to see/look), what are spectators?

Quick Reference: Finding Word Meanings

Strategy	When to Use
Context Clues	First! Always look at surrounding words and sentences
Word Parts	When you recognize a root, prefix, or suffix
Connotation Check	When asked about tone, mood, or author's word choice
Substitution Test	Always! Replace the word with your guess - does it make sense?