There are lots of ways of getting across the meaning of a lexical item.
Illustration: This is very useful for more concrete words (dog, rain, tall) and for visual learners. It has its limits though, not all items can be drawn.
Mime: This lends itself particularly well to action verbs and it can be fun and memorable.
Synonyms/Antonyms/ Gradable items: Using the words a students already knows can be effective for getting meaning across.
Definition: Make sure that it is clear (maybe check in a learner dictionary before the lesson if you are not confident). Remember to ask questions to check they have understood properly.
Context: Think of a clear context when the word is used and either describe it to the students or give them example sentences to clarify meaning further.
Translation: As a last resort, translation is fast and efficient. Remember that not every word has a direct translation..
