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Word-solving strategies · Topic 12 of 14

Context Clues & Multiple-Meaning Words

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Vocabulary · context clues

Context Clues & Multiple-Meaning Words

Decode the word from its sentence: name the clue, predict a plain word, swap each choice in, and pick the sense meant.

01 · The skillUse the sentence to decode the word
02 · The checkSwap in the choice; it must still make sense
03 · Multiple meaningsSeveral meanings: the sentence picks one
01

What it is

Context clue = a hint in the sentence that reveals an unknown word's meaning must know
Multiple-meaning word: the sentence picks the sense must know
02

How to answer

Inference clue: no signal word, so use the sentence's overall situation
03

Solve a context item

Read the full sentence, name the clue, predict a plain word
Swap each choice into the sentence; keep the one that still makes sense
04

Clue words

Definition clue: meaning stated next to the word (or, which means, that is, dashes)
Synonym clue: a nearby word means about the same (often joined by and)
Antonym clue: but, unlike, however, whereas → the opposite meaning
Example clue: such as, for example, including → what do they share?
05

Examples

Antonym: "Unlike her chatty roommate, Dana was reticent" → reticent = reserved
Example: "brittle things, such as thin glass and dry twigs" → easily broken
Multiple meaning: "in charge of warm-ups" → charge = responsibility, not a fee
06

Which clue is it?

Commonly confused
Clue typeSignal words
DefinitionMeaning stated beside the wordor, which means, that is, dashes
SynonymA similar word nearbyand, a comma in a list
AntonymAn opposite sets it offbut, unlike, however, whereas
ExampleListed cases of the wordsuch as, for example, including
InferenceThe overall situationno signal word
07

Wrong-answer traps

Trap: the word's everyday meaning when the sentence uses another sense
Trap: a look-alike choice; match the meaning, not the spelling
08

More detail

Show 2 more facts
Back up a guess with word parts or the sentence's positive/negative tone
Context gives a working meaning, not a full definition
Pearl

Predict, then swap: the right choice keeps the sentence saying the same thing.

Sources · Kirkwood Community College, Reading Skills and Strategies — 18. Using Context Clues · Kirkwood Community College, Reading Skills and Strategies — 17. Building Your Vocabulary (signal words) · LibreTexts, Write What Matters — 19.6 Using Context Clues · Cambridge Dictionary — reticent · Cambridge Dictionary — brittle · Cambridge Dictionary — charge · Vocabulary.com — polysemy (one word, several meanings by context) · Open Exam Prep — HESI A2 study guide §2.2 Inference, Context Clues & Author's Purpose · Open Exam Prep — HESI A2 study guide §3.2 Word Context & Usage · Union Test Prep — HESI Reading Comprehension study guide, p. 2 (context clues, word analysis) · Built from the verified NurseSavvy HESI A2 fact map (facts reviewed 2026-10-16). HESI is a trademark of Elsevier; NurseSavvy is not affiliated with Elsevier.

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