Academic / B1

KONT-ekst/ˈkɒntekst/

Context is the situation or surrounding words that help you understand: in this context; out of context; guess from context. A situation is what is happening; background is the history. Contextual is the adjective. Take a quote out of context means change its meaning by cutting it. Exam tip: do not learn words only in lists — learn them in context.

Meaning

The situation or words around something that help you understand it.

Examples

• “Guess the meaning from the context.”
• “The same word changes meaning in a legal context.”
• “His remark was reported out of context.”

Good to know

in this / that context. out of context. guess from context. Happening now: situation. History: background.

Near in meaning

situation

Topics

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