1. Definition/Explanation: The word is directly defined or explained within the sentence or nearby text.
* Example: The ornithologist, a scientist who studies birds, was excited to see a rare species.
2. Synonym: Another word with the same meaning is used in the sentence or nearby text.
* Example: The gigantic tree was so large, it was truly enormous.
3. Antonym: A word with the opposite meaning is used in the sentence or nearby text.
* Example: The frail bird, unlike its strong and healthy siblings, couldn't fly.
4. Example: Examples are given to illustrate the meaning of the word.
* Example: The diverse population of the city included people from many different backgrounds, such as immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Europe.
5. Restatement: The word is explained through rephrasing the same idea in a different way.
* Example: The archaic language used in the book was outdated and difficult to understand. It was like reading a book from a bygone era.
6. Inference: The meaning of the word is implied through the surrounding context, even if not directly stated.
* Example: The surly dog growled at the stranger and refused to come close. (You infer "surly" means unfriendly and aggressive from the dog's actions.)
7. Comparison/Contrast: The word is compared or contrasted with another word to highlight its meaning.
* Example: The sedentary lifestyle of the office worker was quite different from the active life of the athlete.
8. Word Structure: The parts of the word (prefix, suffix, root) can provide clues to its meaning.
* Example: The prehistoric creature lived millions of years ago. (The prefix "pre" means before, indicating something from a time before history.)
It's important to remember that not every text will contain all of these types of context clues. Additionally, readers often use multiple clues together to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word.