contextual
Relating to the circumstances or setting in which something exists or occurs. It describes information that helps explain the meaning of an event, statement, or idea by looking at its surroundings.
Examples
3 of 5I didn't understand the joke because I lacked the contextual clues from the previous conversation.
I didn't understand the joke because I lacked the contextual clues from the previous conversation.
The court must consider the contextual factors surrounding the defendant's actions.
The court must consider the contextual factors surrounding the defendant's actions.
That comment was totally contextual; you had to be there to find it funny.
That comment was totally contextual; you had to be there to find it funny.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the prefix 'con-' (meaning 'with') and 'text'. Contextual information is the 'text' that goes 'with' the main event to make it clear.
Quick Quiz
To understand why the law was passed, you must look at the ___________ background of the economic crisis at that time.
Correct!
The correct answer is: contextual
Examples
I didn't understand the joke because I lacked the contextual clues from the previous conversation.
everydayI didn't understand the joke because I lacked the contextual clues from the previous conversation.
The court must consider the contextual factors surrounding the defendant's actions.
formalThe court must consider the contextual factors surrounding the defendant's actions.
That comment was totally contextual; you had to be there to find it funny.
informalThat comment was totally contextual; you had to be there to find it funny.
A contextual analysis of the 19th-century novel reveals deep-seated social anxieties.
academicA contextual analysis of the 19th-century novel reveals deep-seated social anxieties.
Contextual advertising ensures that ads are relevant to the specific website content the user is viewing.
businessContextual advertising ensures that ads are relevant to the specific website content the user is viewing.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
contextual evidence
proof derived from the surrounding situation
rich in contextual detail
having a lot of background information
contextual framework
the structure of circumstances surrounding an idea
Often Confused With
Textual relates specifically to the words in a written document, while contextual relates to the broader situation or environment.
Usage Notes
Use 'contextual' when you want to emphasize that something cannot be understood in isolation. It is very common in academic writing when discussing history, literature, or social sciences.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the noun 'context' as an adjective (e.g., 'context clues') instead of the proper adjective 'contextual'. While 'context clues' is common in casual speech, 'contextual clues' is the grammatically precise form.
Memory Tip
Think of the prefix 'con-' (meaning 'with') and 'text'. Contextual information is the 'text' that goes 'with' the main event to make it clear.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'contextus', meaning a 'joining together' or 'weaving together'.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
To understand why the law was passed, you must look at the ___________ background of the economic crisis at that time.
Correct!
The correct answer is: contextual
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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