1. Context Clues:
* Definition: The word's meaning is directly stated in the sentence or paragraph. Look for words like "means," "is," "is defined as," "refers to," etc.
* Example: The author used a simile, a figure of speech that compares two things using "like" or "as."
* Restatement: The word's meaning is explained in a different way later in the text.
* Contrast: The word's meaning is contrasted with another word or concept.
* Inference: You can infer the meaning of the word based on the surrounding information and the overall tone of the text.
2. Word Structure:
* Prefixes: These come at the beginning of a word and can change its meaning (e.g., "un-" in "unhappy").
* Suffixes: These come at the end of a word and can change its meaning (e.g., "-ing" in "walking").
* Roots: The base of a word that carries its core meaning (e.g., "spect" in "inspect" and "respect").
3. Dictionary/Thesaurus:
* Dictionary: Use a dictionary to find the definition of the word.
* Thesaurus: Find synonyms (words with similar meanings) or antonyms (words with opposite meanings) to help understand the word's meaning.
4. Other Resources:
* Online dictionaries: Use online dictionaries for quick definitions, etymology (word origin), and examples.
* Context-specific dictionaries: These dictionaries cater to specific fields of study, like medical or legal dictionaries.
* Google: Search for the word on Google. Often, websites explain the word's meaning in simple terms.
Remember: Don't rely on just one clue. Use a combination of these techniques to get a better understanding of the unfamiliar word.