1. Context Clues:
* Definition/Restatement: The author may provide a definition or explanation of the word directly within the sentence or paragraph. Look for phrases like "which means," "in other words," or "that is."
* Example: The author might provide an example to illustrate the meaning of the word.
* Contrast: The word might be contrasted with another word with an opposite meaning.
* Inference: Consider the surrounding words and sentences. Can you infer the meaning based on the overall context?
2. Word Structure:
* Prefixes and Suffixes: Break down the word into its component parts. Prefixes (beginning of the word) and suffixes (end of the word) often provide clues to the word's meaning. For example, "pre-" often means "before," and "-ness" often indicates a state or quality.
* Root Words: The base word, or root, can often be familiar, even if the entire word is not.
3. Dictionary and Thesaurus:
* If context clues don't provide enough information, use a dictionary to look up the word's definition.
* A thesaurus can help find synonyms and antonyms, which can further illuminate the word's meaning in the context.
4. Other Resources:
* Online resources: Websites like Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, and Thesaurus.com offer definitions, pronunciations, and example sentences.
* Asking for help: Don't hesitate to ask a teacher, parent, or friend for assistance if you're struggling to understand a word.
Remember: Practice makes perfect! The more you read, the better you'll become at using context clues and other strategies to understand unfamiliar words.