Connotation and 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

'Youthful' has a positive connotation, suggesting energy and vitality.

Front

Give an example of a word with a negative connotation.

Back

'Stubborn' has a negative connotation, implying an unwillingness to change.

Front

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

Back

A neutral connotation means the word does not evoke strong emotional responses, e.g., 'vehicle'.

Front

How can context affect the connotation of a word?

Back

Context can change how a word is perceived; for example, 'home' can feel warm and inviting, while 'house' is more neutral.

Front

What is the connotation of the word 'slim'?

Back

'Slim' has a positive connotation, suggesting attractiveness and health.

Front

What is the connotation of the word 'skinny'?

Back

'Skinny' has a negative connotation, often implying unhealthiness or lack of strength.

Front

How does the word 'chatting' differ from 'talking' in connotation?

Back

'Chatting' implies a light, informal conversation, while 'talking' is more neutral.

Front

What is an example of a word that can have both positive and negative connotations?

Back

The word 'assertive' can be seen positively as confident or negatively as aggressive.