Explanation

Today, we are going to learn how to determine the meaning of words by using synonyms in context.

What are synonyms?

Synonyms are words that have similar meanings. For example, “happy” and “joyful” are synonyms because they mean almost the same thing.

Why use synonyms?

Sometimes, when you read a text, you might come across a word you don’t know. By using synonyms, you can figure out what that unknown word means based on other words around it (context).

How to find synonyms in context:

  1. Look at the sentence or surrounding sentences: Sometimes a sentence will give you clues about what a word means.
  2. Identify known words: Find words in the sentence that you already understand. These might help you guess the meaning of the unknown word.
  3. Use the context: Think about what makes sense in the sentence. The story or the sentence’s theme can give you big hints.
  4. Check for synonyms: Look for words in the sentence that might be synonyms or close in meaning to the unknown word.

Example:

  • Sentence: “The gargantuan elephant towered over the small car.”
  • Known Words: “elephant,” “towered,” “small car.”
  • Context Clue: Elephants are large animals.
  • Synonym for “gargantuan”: “huge” or “gigantic.”

Tips and Tricks:

  • Think about the overall meaning: What is the sentence trying to say?
  • Look for familiar prefixes or suffixes: They can help you guess the meaning.
  • Use a thesaurus: It’s a great tool to find synonyms and expand your vocabulary.

Questions

Easy Level

  1. The cheerful puppy wagged its tail.
    • What does “cheerful” mean?
    • Answer: Happy
  2. The slender branch broke easily.
    • What does “slender” mean?
    • Answer: Thin
  3. The teacher was elated by the excellent test results.
    • What does “elated” mean?
    • Answer: Very happy
  4. The lake was serene in the early morning.
    • What does “serene” mean?
    • Answer: Calm
  5. The brave soldier marched into battle.
    • What does “brave” mean?
    • Answer: Courageous
  6. The child was very frightened by the loud noise.
    • What does “frightened” mean?
    • Answer: Scared
  7. The ancient ruins were a sight to behold.
    • What does “ancient” mean?
    • Answer: Very old
  8. The feeble old man needed help walking.
    • What does “feeble” mean?
    • Answer: Weak
  9. The vast ocean stretched out to the horizon.
    • What does “vast” mean?
    • Answer: Huge
  10. The swift runner won the race.
    • What does “swift” mean?
    • Answer: Fast
  11. The dreary weather made everyone feel sad.
    • What does “dreary” mean?
    • Answer: Gloomy
  12. The jubilant crowd cheered for their team.
    • What does “jubilant” mean?
    • Answer: Joyful
  13. The timid cat hid under the bed.
    • What does “timid” mean?
    • Answer: Shy
  14. The fragile vase broke when it fell.
    • What does “fragile” mean?
    • Answer: Easily broken
  15. The diligent student studied every night.
    • What does “diligent” mean?
    • Answer: Hardworking
  16. The curious kitten explored the room.
    • What does “curious” mean?
    • Answer: Interested
  17. The witty comedian made everyone laugh.
    • What does “witty” mean?
    • Answer: Funny and clever
  18. The gorgeous sunset took our breath away.
    • What does “gorgeous” mean?
    • Answer: Beautiful
  19. The mysterious shadow moved silently.
    • What does “mysterious” mean?
    • Answer: Unknown or puzzling
  20. The clumsy boy tripped over his own feet.
    • What does “clumsy” mean?
    • Answer: Awkward

Medium Level

  1. The arid desert was difficult to cross.
    • What does “arid” mean?
    • Answer: Dry
  2. Her meticulous note-taking helped her study for exams.
    • What does “meticulous” mean?
    • Answer: Careful and precise
  3. The opulent palace was filled with gold and silver.
    • What does “opulent” mean?
    • Answer: Rich and luxurious
  4. The peculiar smell made me curious.
    • What does “peculiar” mean?
    • Answer: Strange
  5. The reluctant student slowly walked to the front of the class.
    • What does “reluctant” mean?
    • Answer: Unwilling
  6. The tedious task took hours to complete.
    • What does “tedious” mean?
    • Answer: Boring
  7. The ambitious young man worked day and night.
    • What does “ambitious” mean?
    • Answer: Eager to achieve
  8. The melancholy music made her feel sad.
    • What does “melancholy” mean?
    • Answer: Sad
  9. The plentiful harvest meant there was enough food for everyone.
    • What does “plentiful” mean?
    • Answer: Abundant
  10. The hasty decision led to mistakes.
    • What does “hasty” mean?
    • Answer: Quick
  11. The nimble dancer twirled gracefully.
    • What does “nimble” mean?
    • Answer: Agile
  12. The robust engine powered the car.
    • What does “robust” mean?
    • Answer: Strong
  13. The lucid explanation helped everyone understand.
    • What does “lucid” mean?
    • Answer: Clear
  14. The vivid colors of the painting caught my eye.
    • What does “vivid” mean?
    • Answer: Bright
  15. The obstinate donkey refused to move.
    • What does “obstinate” mean?
    • Answer: Stubborn
  16. The futile attempt to fix the computer only made it worse.
    • What does “futile” mean?
    • Answer: Useless
  17. The formidable opponent made the game challenging.
    • What does “formidable” mean?
    • Answer: Difficult to defeat
  18. The impeccable manners of the guest impressed everyone.
    • What does “impeccable” mean?
    • Answer: Perfect
  19. The trivial details were overlooked.
    • What does “trivial” mean?
    • Answer: Unimportant
  20. The turbulent waters made sailing difficult.
    • What does “turbulent” mean?
    • Answer: Rough

High Level

  1. The benevolent leader was loved by all.
    • What does “benevolent” mean?
    • Answer: Kind
  2. The enigma puzzled all the scientists.
    • What does “enigma” mean?
    • Answer: Mystery
  3. The profound speech moved the audience.
    • What does “profound” mean?
    • Answer: Deep and meaningful
  4. The resilient plant survived the harsh winter.
    • What does “resilient” mean?
    • Answer: Tough
  5. The obsolete technology was no longer in use.
    • What does “obsolete” mean?
    • Answer: Outdated
  6. His astute observations impressed his teacher.
    • What does “astute” mean?
    • Answer: Clever
  7. The cumbersome suitcase was hard to carry.
    • What does “cumbersome” mean?
    • Answer: Bulky and awkward
  8. The exuberant children played in the park.
    • What does “exuberant” mean?
    • Answer: Energetic
  9. The conundrum was finally solved by the detective.
    • What does “conundrum” mean?
    • Answer: Puzzle
  10. The staunch supporter never wavered.
    • What does “staunch” mean?
    • Answer: Loyal
  11. The ephemeral beauty of the sunset was breathtaking.
    • What does “ephemeral” mean?
    • Answer: Short-lived
  12. The eclectic collection of art was fascinating.
    • What does “eclectic” mean?
    • Answer: Diverse
  13. The serendipitous discovery led to great success.
    • What does “serendipitous” mean?
    • Answer: Lucky
  14. The voracious reader finished the book in a day.
    • What does “voracious” mean?
    • Answer: Very eager
  15. The insidious disease spread quickly.
    • What does “insidious” mean?
    • Answer: Harmful in a subtle way
  16. The gregarious person loved parties.
    • What does “gregarious” mean?
    • Answer: Sociable
  17. The vivacious performance excited the audience.
    • What does “vivacious” mean?
    • Answer: Lively
  18. The quaint village was charming.
    • What does “quaint” mean?
    • Answer: Unusual and old-fashioned
  19. The elusive criminal evaded capture.
    • What does “elusive” mean?
    • Answer: Hard to find
  20. The conflagration destroyed the forest.
    • What does “conflagration” mean?
    • Answer: Large fire

I hope this guide helps you understand how to determine the meaning of words using synonyms in context. Practice makes perfect, so keep practicing these skills!