Context Clues: The Definition Clue

Find a new word's meaning when the author defines it right in the sentence.

Authors often help readers by explaining a hard word right next to it. This is called a definition clue. Watch for signal words and punctuation: 'is', 'means', 'which is', 'called', commas, dashes, and parentheses. Read: 'The bat is nocturnal, which means it is awake at night and sleeps during the day. ' The words 'which means' tell you the definition is coming: nocturnal means active at night.

Another: 'Many birds migrate, or travel long distances when seasons change. ' The comma and 'or' introduce the meaning. When you meet an unknown word, before reaching for a dictionary, read the rest of the sentence. The author may have already done the work for you.

• 1A definition clue explains the word in the same sentence.
• 2Signals: is, means, which is, called, or, commas, dashes.
• 3Read the whole sentence before using a dictionary.