Contextualism is the idea that the meaning of a word, phrase, or statement depends on the specific context in which it is used. The same sentence can have different meanings depending on who says it, where they say it, and the surrounding circumstances. For example, "It's hot" could mean the weather is warm, or it could mean a recently touched object is hot. The context helps determine which meaning is correct. Similarly, a gesture like pointing can have different meanings in different cultures. Contextualism suggests that understanding meaning requires considering these surrounding factors, rather than just looking at the words themselves.