[header] How to understand a word without using a dictionary [title] Read the entire sentence. [step] It can be very frustrating to have your reading interrupted by an unknown word. If you are in the middle of an exam or an assignment for school or work, it can also be very stressful. 
If you can't reach for a dictionary, take other steps to figure out what the word means. [substeps] Your first step is to go back and re-read the entire sentence.