Transcript Vocabulary in Context - Professor Cason's Homepage

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Slows you down
Disrupts the flow of
your reading and
thought process
A dictionary isn’t
always available
Some words have
multiple meanings
CONTEXT
Words surrounding
an unfamiliar word
that give clues
about its meaning
Since it was
raining outside, I
used my ________
to keep from
getting wet.
• My math book cost
over a $100.
• I just booked my
flight to Chicago.
• Greg was booked on
DUI charges.
Definition
Synonym
Antonym
Example
DEFINITION CLUES
• Found immediately after the word
• Often punctuation is used to draw attention
to the definition (commas or dashes)
• Signal words = refers to, or, can be defined
as, means, is
• Hydrocortisone, a steroid hormone, is used in
the treatment of rheumatism.
SYNONYMS
Words that have similar meanings
“rich” and “wealthy”
Signal words = or, also called, in other words
Although the salesperson tried to assuage
the angry customer, there was no way to
soothe her.
• Assuage = soothe (calm down, satisfy)
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ANTONYMS
• Words that have opposite meanings
• “rich” and “poor”
• Many snakes are poisonous, but others are
innocuous and pose no danger.
• Innocuous = harmless
EXAMPLES
• Signal words = for example, for instance,
such as, like, including
• When attending an office party, it is
important to show your best decorum, such
as dressing appropriately, eating moderately,
and thanking your host or hostess before
leaving.
• decorum = manners, good behavior
PRACTICE
1. The indolent employee did absolutely nothing and
was eventually fired.
2. Silvia’s nefarious activities landed her in jail.
3. As she finished her third drink, Trish became
increasingly garrulous, talking about everything
from her cat’s eating habits to her most recent
therapy session.