contextual definition: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “contextual definition” mean?
A definition that explains the meaning of a word or phrase by showing how it is used in a specific sentence, situation, or field, rather than by giving a general explanation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A definition that explains the meaning of a word or phrase by showing how it is used in a specific sentence, situation, or field, rather than by giving a general explanation.
A principle in lexicography, linguistics, and language teaching where meaning is derived from or explained within the surrounding text, discourse, or social situation. It can also refer to a method of defining abstract concepts by their role within a specific theory or system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is used identically in both academic traditions.
Connotations
Neutral, technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both UK and US academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “contextual definition” in a Sentence
The [author/teacher] provided a contextual definition of '[term]'.A contextual definition for '[term]' was given.The meaning was established by contextual definition.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “contextual definition” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The teacher encouraged students to contextualise the term's definition.
- We need to define it contextually.
American English
- The instructor had students contextualize the definition.
- It's better to define it contextually.
adverb
British English
- The word was defined contextually, within the paragraph it appeared.
- She explained it contextually.
American English
- He defined the term contextually, using the surrounding sentences.
- Meaning is often derived contextually.
adjective
British English
- They adopted a contextual-definition approach in the new textbook.
- The contextual definition method proved effective.
American English
- The curriculum uses a contextual-definition strategy.
- This is a key contextual definition principle.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in specialised training materials about jargon or corporate terminology.
Academic
Common in linguistics, philosophy, semantics, and education research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Not used in casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in lexicography and language teaching methodology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “contextual definition”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “contextual definition”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “contextual definition”
- Using it to mean simply 'a definition' (e.g., 'He gave the contextual definition of cat' when a standard definition was given).
- Pronouncing 'contextual' with stress on the first syllable (CON-textual) instead of the second (con-TEX-tual).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A definition by example (ostensive definition) points to instances. A contextual definition explains meaning by showing the word's role and relationships within a specific linguistic or situational framework.
Yes, absolutely. A word's meaning can vary significantly depending on the context (e.g., 'bank' in finance vs. geography). Each distinct usage would have its own contextual definition.
It helps learners acquire vocabulary more naturally, understand nuance, polysemy, and collocations, and develop the crucial skill of inferring meaning from context, which is essential for fluency.
Merely seeing a word in a sentence provides raw data. A contextual definition is an explicit explanation or technique that analyzes that sentence to articulate the word's specific meaning within it. It is a metalinguistic tool.
A definition that explains the meaning of a word or phrase by showing how it is used in a specific sentence, situation, or field, rather than by giving a general explanation.
Contextual definition is usually academic / technical in register.
Contextual definition: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈtek.stʃu.əl ˌdef.ɪˈnɪʃ.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈtek.stʃu.əl ˌdef.əˈnɪʃ.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To define something by context.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CON-TEXT-ual. The definition is found in the CONnecting TEXT around the word.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEANING IS LOCATION (The meaning is located in the surrounding 'landscape' of words).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'contextual definition' MOST likely to be used?