Phantom Tollbooth Act 1

Phantom Tollbooth Act 1

By Patricia Carrington

The denotation of a word is its dictionary definition. But two words with the same literal definition can have different nuances or shades of meaning. For example, the words plan and scheme have similar dictionary definitions. Both mean "to devise or arrange." But scheme suggests behaving in a sneaky or devious way. Read the word pairs below. Write the denotation of each word pair. Then explain the nuances in their exact meaning.

Open Ended

slim/skinny

Open Ended

unusual/odd

Open Ended

sound/noise

Open Ended

odor/stench