How can context clues assist in understanding unfamiliar vocabulary?

Context clues play a crucial role in helping readers decipher unfamiliar vocabulary by providing hints about a word's meaning through the surrounding text. When encountering a word that is not understood, readers can analyze the sentences or paragraphs that contain the word to find words or phrases that offer clues about its definition. For instance, a word might be explained by examples, descriptions, or contrasts that are nearby. This method allows readers to infer meaning without needing to resort to a dictionary, enhancing comprehension and promoting vocabulary development. By relying on context, readers improve their ability to understand texts more fully, as they can piece together meanings from the context rather than solely depending on explicit definitions.