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context

context

685 3.4
The circumstances that surround and explain a situation
  • noun
  • /ˈkɒn.tɛkst/
translation icon : contexto
  • The authors here suggest that the 'social context' is an important object for inquiry.
  • provide context
  • social context
  • cultural context

So I'm going to switch the context in this scenario.

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Examples

  • Now that's, I think, the context in which to view what's going on.

  • Empirical research needs to acknowledge the economic and social contexts of community college students' experiences.

    Academic text (2015)
  • But take it out of the context of what it is.

  • And so I just wanted to provide some context to that.

  • You learn in the present context what things matter most.

  • As such, we must consider the economic context in which they were seeking employment.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The students' individual projects provide a context in which the instruction can be embedded.

    Academic text (2013)
  • To fully understand her reaction, we need to consider the cultural context of her upbringing.

  • The author's message becomes clear when viewed in the historical context of the time period.

  • It's essential to grasp the context of the discussion before forming an opinion.

Synonyms

situation
vscontext
1.9

The conditions someone or something is in at a time

is about surrounding facts that help explain events rather than being the state
circumstance
vscontext
2.7

Something that affects an event, situation, or decision

is the whole set of surrounding facts and conditions rather than one fact
background
vscontext
365 2.6

The facts and context that help explain a situation or event

is the broader collection of surrounding facts and conditions rather than focused information
setting
vscontext
317 3.2

The place and time where an event or story happens

is about surrounding facts and conditions that explain meaning not physical location

Idioms

Someone quotes words without the surrounding information, making the meaning seem wrong

Compounds

Facts and events from the past that help explain something

The words and situation around a word that help show its meaning

A situation where words or actions show disrespect toward someone

Words and sentences around a word or phrase that help you know its meaning

A situation where people try to be funny, for example when they tell jokes

How Much Context

context
685 3.4
background
365 2.6
detail
1.0
hint
153 1.5

Surface Forms

context singular
contexts plural

Morphology

context = text (opaque) = con + text

Although historically analyzable as 'con-' + 'text', the general sense 'circumstances or conditions' is metaphorical and not derivable by an average B1 learner from 'con' + 'text'.

Etymology

Context comes from Latin parts con- 'together' and texere 'to weave', so it originally meant things 'woven together'. That's why context now means the facts and conditions that surround and help explain a situation.