Connotation & Denotation

Front

What is denotation?

Back

Denotation is the literal or primary meaning of a word, the dictionary definition.

Front

What is connotation?

Back

Connotation refers to the emotional or cultural associations that a word carries beyond its literal meaning.

Front

Give an example of a word with a positive connotation.

Back

The word 'youthful' has a positive connotation, suggesting energy and vitality.

Front

Give an example of a word with a negative connotation.

Back

The word 'childish' has a negative connotation, implying immaturity.

Front

What is the difference between connotation and denotation?

Back

Denotation is the explicit meaning of a word, while connotation includes the feelings and ideas associated with that word.

Front

Which word has a more positive connotation: 'slender' or 'skinny'?

Back

'Slender' has a more positive connotation, suggesting gracefulness.

Front

Which word has a more negative connotation: 'soggy' or 'moist'?

Back

'Soggy' has a more negative connotation, suggesting something undesirable.

Front

What does it mean if a word has a neutral connotation?

Back

A neutral connotation means the word does not evoke strong feelings, either positive or negative.

Front

How can context affect the connotation of a word?

Back

Context can change how a word is perceived; for example, 'home' has a positive connotation in a family context but can be neutral in a real estate context.

Front

What is an example of a word with both positive and negative connotations?

Back

The word 'ambitious' can have a positive connotation (driven) or a negative connotation (greedy) depending on context.