Read this invented sentence: "The path was slippery after the rain, so we walked slowly and held the rail." Even without knowing "slippery," the rain, slow movement, and rail suggest a surface that is difficult to walk on securely.
That is a working interpretation, not a complete dictionary definition. Context can narrow a meaning while leaving details uncertain. Write a tentative explanation such as "easy to slide on" and mark it as a guess.
Look for more than one clue
Try another sentence: "Unlike the crowded main hall, the side room was spacious." The contrast suggests that the side room has plenty of room. The word "unlike" helps connect the two descriptions.
Check a reliable learner dictionary after forming your guess. Compare the definition and an example with the sentence you read. If the match is weak, revise the interpretation instead of forcing the new word into your first idea.
Some texts do not provide enough evidence. If an unfamiliar term controls a deadline, instruction, or other important decision, verify it promptly rather than relying on inference alone. Keep a brief record of the original sentence and corrected meaning. Later, explain why the context helped or failed. The exercise builds informed guessing while preserving the habit of checking when precision matters.