1. Consider the Context:
* Surrounding words and phrases: Look at the words and phrases immediately before and after the word in question. What are they referring to? What kind of relationship do they have with the target word?
* The overall text: What is the main topic or theme of the passage? How does the word fit into the broader context?
* The tone and style: Is the writing formal or informal? Is it humorous or serious? The tone and style can provide clues about the meaning of the word.
2. Use Your Knowledge of the Word:
* Think about the different meanings you already know: Which of these meanings makes sense in the current context?
* Consider synonyms and antonyms: Are there any synonyms or antonyms for the word that would make sense in the context?
3. Use a Dictionary:
* Look up the word: Most dictionaries provide multiple definitions for words with multiple meanings.
* Read the definitions carefully: Pay attention to the context clues provided in the dictionary definitions to determine the correct meaning.
4. Use a Thesaurus:
* Find synonyms for the word: This can help you understand the word's meaning in the context of the passage.
* Compare the synonyms to the context: Which synonyms fit best with the surrounding words and the overall meaning of the text?
5. Consider the Sentence Structure:
* Look for clues in the grammatical structure: For example, if the word is used as a verb, is it active or passive? What is the object of the verb?
* Identify any prepositional phrases: These can provide context about the meaning of the word.
6. Look for Visual Cues:
* Images or illustrations: These can help you understand the meaning of the word, especially if it's a concrete noun.
* Charts or graphs: These can help you understand the meaning of the word if it's related to a specific concept or idea.
Example:
Sentence: The bank was filled with people waiting to cash their checks.
Strategies:
* Context: "Cashing checks" suggests a financial institution.
* Knowledge: We know "bank" can mean a financial institution or a riverbank.
* Dictionary: The definition of "bank" as a financial institution fits the context.
Remember: There's no single "best" strategy; often, a combination of these approaches will help you determine the correct meaning of a multiple-meaning word in a text.