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

'Home' has a positive connotation, suggesting warmth and safety.

Front

Give an example of a word with a negative connotation.

Back

'Snake' often has a negative connotation, suggesting deceit or danger.

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, like 'table'.

Front

How can synonyms differ in connotation?

Back

Synonyms can have different connotations; for example, 'slim' (positive) and 'skinny' (negative) are synonyms.

Front

What is an example of a word with a neutral connotation?

Back

'Vehicle' is a neutral term that does not carry positive or negative feelings.

Front

What is the connotation of the word 'childish'?

Back

'Childish' has a negative connotation, implying immaturity.

Front

What is the connotation of the word 'youthful'?

Back

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

Front

How does context affect connotation?

Back

Context can change a word's connotation; for example, 'cheap' can be negative or positive depending on context.