Determine the meaning of words using antonyms in context

Key Notes:

What are Antonyms?

Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings. For example:

• Happy is an antonym of sad.
• Hot is an antonym of cold.
• Big is an antonym of small.

Knowing antonyms can help you understand the meaning of unfamiliar words, particularly when they are used in context.

Antonyms as Context Clues

Sometimes, a sentence will give you a direct antonym of an unfamiliar word. This is a context clue! By understanding the antonym, you can figure out the meaning of the word you don’t know.

Here’s how to do it:

• Identify the unfamiliar word.
• Look for words or phrases that indicate a contrast or opposite meaning. Words like but, however, unlike, instead of, on the other hand, or while often signal antonyms.
• Identify the antonym. What word is being contrasted with the unfamiliar word?
• Determine the meaning of the unfamiliar word based on the antonym. If you know what the antonym means, you can infer that the unfamiliar word means the opposite.

Examples

Let’s look at some examples:

“Unlike her gregarious sister, Jane was quiet and reserved.”

• Unfamiliar word: gregarious
• Contrast signal: Unlike
• Antonym: quiet and reserved
• Meaning of gregarious: outgoing, sociable, enjoys being with people

“The food was not palatable; in fact, it was quite disgusting.”

• Unfamiliar word: palatable
• Contrast signal: in fact
• Antonym: disgusting
• Meaning of palatable: pleasant to taste

“Instead of feeling elated, Mark felt utterly dejected after the game.”

• Unfamiliar word: elated
• Contrast signal: Instead of
• Antonym: dejected
• Meaning of elated: very happy or joyful

Tips for Success

Pay Attention to Signal Words: Look out for words that signal a contrast, such as: but however unlike instead of on the other hand while

Read the Entire Sentence: The antonym might not be a single word. It could be a phrase or a description. Make sure you understand the whole context. Don’t Assume: Sometimes, a word might seem familiar but is used in an unfamiliar way. Always consider the context. Try Replacing the Word: Once you think you know the meaning, try replacing the unfamiliar word with its antonym in the sentence. Does it still make sense?

Practice Makes Perfect!

The more you practice identifying antonyms in context, the better you’ll become at understanding new words. Keep an eye out for those context clues when you’re reading!