What does it mean to define a word in context?

• A. It requires using a dictionary only.
• B. It relies on the title.
• C. It involves looking at nearby words to define the meaning.
• D. It ignores surrounding text.

Answer: (C)

Defining a word in context means using the surrounding sentences and ideas to figure out what a word means, rather than immediately looking it up in a dictionary. You pick up clues from nearby words that hint at the sense—synonyms or contrasts, explanations, examples, or rewordings within the passage. The sentence structure and punctuation can also signal meaning, such as an appositive that defines the term or a phrase that clarifies it. By combining these clues, you infer a meaning that fits the passage as a whole.

This approach is better than relying on a dictionary alone, since dictionaries give general definitions but may miss nuance or how a word functions in that specific context. The title isn’t typically enough to define a word, and ignoring surrounding text means you’d miss the clues the author provides to guide your understanding.