Find the Meaning of New Words Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RF.2.4.C

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

As we grow through the educational process we will frequently run into words that are completely new to us. There are many different ways to approach grasping the meaning of these words. The first step is to try to the context of the sentence to build a layer of understanding. You can use surrounding words to help you understand the words within it. You can always have a dictionary handy to help you with these words. This worksheet collection helps students learn how to approach new words in what they are reading.

Meaning of New Words Worksheets:

The White Rabbit – Guess where this passage comes from?

How Do They Do It? – Spiders begin each web with a single thread. They climb up to a good starting point and let go a length of thread into the wind.

Lance to the Rescue! – Context clues are words in the sentence that help you figure out the meaning of a difficult word that you do not know.

Man's Best Friend – Read each sentence. Use context clues to determine the meaning of the underlined word.

How to Say "Hi" to a Horse – Circle the best meaning for each underlined word from the passage. Then write the clues from the passage that helped you choose the correct meaning.

Finding Meaning of New Words – Read the sentences. Match the underlined word to its definition.

An Evening With Rat – The passage is from a novel. Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Using Sentences for Context – There is a word underlined in each sentence.

Context Clues – Read each sentence. Then answer the question.

Context Clues: Definitions – One kind of context clue you can look for is a definition within the sentence. Signal words for definitions include is and means.

Find the Meaning – Underline the part of the sentence that helps you to figure out the meaning of the bold word. Write the meaning of each word on the line.

Matching Context Clues – More of the same on this one for you.

Dorothy Arrives – Guess which Dorothy this is?

Figuring Out New Words – Can you tell what the bold word means?

Daydreaming – This is a pretty high level for this grade, but appropriate for higher learners.

Tips for Finding the Meaning of New Words


Here are some tips for finding the meaning of new words in a passage.


Reread the Entire Sentence


When you come across a new word in the text and don't have the source to look for its meaning, chances are that you might lose track of what you were reading in the first place. So, the first and foremost step towards finding the meaning of that new word is to go back and reread the entire sentence. Sometimes, you won't even need a dictionary. The meaning of the word is so clear in the sentence.


Focus on the Words You Know the Meaning Of


If you are stuck on a word in a passage, then instead of worrying you should be focusing on the words that you do know the meaning of. You can easily guess the content of the word with the help of other words in the passage. Identify words that you are familiar with and then connect their dots with the unfamiliar words. Try to understand what is being talked about and in what sense. Why these words have been used? These tips will help you in guessing the meaning of the new word.


Look for Illustrations


If there are graphic illustrations, it is better for you. Once you have taken hints from the other words and the sentence itself, its time to move on to the graphic illustrations. They can tell what is happening. By focusing on the details and descriptions, you can find out more about the word.


Think Logically


You can easily guess the meaning of the new word with the help of your smartness. All you need is to think logically. Focus on the facts like what tone is being used. If the tone is positive, then the meaning of the word would be positive. If the tone is negative, then the meaning of the word would be negative. Also, if there is a word after the new word separated by “and”, then it means that it is a synonym. If you know the meaning of the synonym, you can guess the meaning of the new word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Man's Best Friend Worksheet Preview