1. Context Clues:
* Surrounding words: Pay attention to the words and sentences around the unfamiliar word. They often provide hints about its meaning.
* Synonyms and Antonyms: The text might use synonyms (words with similar meanings) or antonyms (words with opposite meanings) for the unfamiliar word.
* Examples: The author may provide examples to illustrate the meaning of the word.
* Definitions: Sometimes the author will directly define the word, either within the sentence or in a separate sentence.
2. Word Structure:
* Prefixes and Suffixes: Break the word down into its parts. Prefixes (beginning parts) and suffixes (ending parts) often give clues about the word's meaning. For example, "un-" means "not," and "-ness" means "state of being."
* Root Words: Identify the base word or root word. This can give you a starting point for understanding the meaning.
3. Using a Dictionary:
* If all else fails: If you can't figure out the word's meaning from the context, consult a dictionary.
4. Other Resources:
* Online dictionaries: Websites like Merriam-Webster, Dictionary.com, and Oxford Languages offer comprehensive definitions and examples.
* Thesaurus: Look up synonyms for the unfamiliar word to get a better understanding of its meaning.
Example:
"The intrepid explorer ventured into the unknown jungle."
* Context clues: "explorer," "ventured," "unknown jungle" suggest that the explorer is brave and fearless.
* Word structure: "intrepid" might be broken down into "in-" (meaning "not") and "trepid" (meaning "fearful"). Putting it together, "intrepid" means "not fearful."
By using these strategies, you can often figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words without interrupting your reading flow.