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Glite Dictionary
contextual definition

contextual definition

6.5
A way of explaining a word by showing how people use it in a sentence
  • noun
  • /kənˈtɛkstʃuəl dɪˈfɪnɪʃən/
translation icon : definición contextual
  • A contextual definition often explains a word by showing it within the sentence or scenario where it typically appears.

Examples

  • Students were asked to provide a contextual definition of 'democracy' in their essays.

  • The philosopher used a contextual definition to clarify how the term was understood in everyday conversation.

  • The teacher provided a contextual definition of the term.

  • Can you give a contextual definition for that word?

  • A contextual definition often explains a word by showing it within the sentence or scenario where it typically appears.

  • Students were asked to provide a contextual definition of 'democracy' in their essays to enhance their understanding.

  • The philosopher used a contextual definition to clarify how the term was understood in different social situations.

How Contextual

example
∞ 1.0
contextual definition
6.5

Surface Forms

contextual definition singular
contextual definitions plural

Morphology

contextual + definition

The noun phrase is compositional: 'contextual' (pertaining to circumstances of use) modifies 'definition' (an explanatory statement), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it means a definition given or clarified by context or example. This adjective+noun pattern is regular in English and widely paralleled cross-linguistically, making the meaning predictable from the constituents.

Etymology

Contextual definition comes from the simple idea of giving a definition inside a real context. Imagine a teacher showing a sentence and explaining a word there, so because the example shows how the word is used, a contextual definition means 'a definition given by using the word in a sentence or situation'.