Vocabulary

Unit 1-Context Clues

What are the expecations?

I will give you a vocabulary word or term and you will write down the definition

Most of the time I will say to write a sentence using the word

Notes will be handed in for points on your vocabulary quiz

Context Clues

Before we get into new vocabulary words we are going to learn some context clues that will help you understand the meaning of a word when you do not know the definition

Synonyms A synonym is a word that has the

same or almost the same meaning as another word

Go-depart Listen-hear Happy-glad Know-understand Hurry-rush Roomy-spacious

Write the word that is most nearly the synonym

Absurd1. Sensible2. Foolish3. Loud4. Quiet

Write the word that is most nearly the synonym

Alert1. Clear2. Dull3. Watchful4. Distant

Write the word that is most nearly the synonym

Generosity1. Likelihood2. Charity3. Selfishness4. Cleverness

Write the word that is most nearly the synonym

Conserve1. Refill2. Use up3. Save4. Throw away

Antonym An antonym is a word that means the

opposite of or almost the opposite of another word

Awake-asleep Hurry-dawdle Wet-dry Quiet-noisy Gloomy-cheerful Friend-foe

Write the word that is most nearly the antonym

Amateur1. Veteran2. Beginner3. Professional4. Resident

Write the word that is most nearly the antonym

Blur1. Dim2. Close3. Open4. Clarify

Write the word that is most nearly the antonym

Intelligent1. Charming2. Studious3. Stupid4. Lively

Write the word that is most nearly the antonym

Ferocious1. Juvenile2. Mild3. Angry4. Expensive

Denotation

Denotation of a word is its specific dictionary meaning

Word

Scholarly

Grasping

Travel

Denotation

Learned

Overly eager for material gain

Make a journey

Connotation Connotation of a word is its tone-that

is, the emotions or associations it normally arouses people using, hearing, or reading it

Word

Scholarly

Grasping

Travel

Connotation

Favorable

Unfavorable

Neutral

Exercise Write in your notes whether each word is

favorable (F), unfavorable (U), or neutral (N):

1. Conceited2. Parallel3. Valiant4. Excerpt5. Shiftless6. Hero

Exercise Write in your notes whether each word is

favorable (F), unfavorable (U), or neutral (N):

1. Conceited-U2. Parallel-N3. Valiant-F4. Excerpt-N5. Shiftless-U6. Hero-F

Word Structure

Understanding the meaning of ‘word parts’ can help you find the meaning of words as well

The root is the part of the word that contains the basic meaning (definition) of the word.

The root is the base element of the word.

Prefix

A prefix is a word element that is placed in front of a root.

A prefix changes the word's meaning or makes a new word.

Suffix

A suffix is a word element that is placed after the root.

The suffix changes the word's meaning as well as its function (use).

Prefixes and suffixes are called affixes because they are attached to a root.

Prefix-ExamplesPrefix

com-, con-de-, dis-fore-, pre-in-, im-mid-mis-re-

Meaningtogether withlower, oppositebefore, ahead of timein, intomiddlewrongly, badlyagain, back

Sample Wordscompatriot, contactdevalue, disloyalforewarn, preplaninhale, importmidway, middaymistake, misbehaveredo, repay

Suffix-ExamplesSuffix

-acy, -ance, -ence, -hood, -ity, -ment, -ness, -ship

Meaningstate, quality, or condition of, act or process of

Sample Wordsadequacy, attendance, persistence, neighborhood, activity, judgment, brightness, friendship