Denotations & Connotations

Denotations & Connotations

By Amy Brezina

Denotations

​A denotation is the dictionary definition of a word.

Connotations

​The connotation of a word is the idea or feeling that a word causes in addition to its literal meaning. Connotations create the tone - either positive or negative.

Why are these important?

Writers and speakers should be aware of the connotations as well as of the denotations of the words they use.  Likewise, readers should be aware of the possible connotations of the words they read.  Keep in mind that authors make deliberate choices to use certain words.  

Think about why an author makes these choices.​

Example:

Consider these words: slim, scrawny, tiny, emaciated, lean, skinny

​Some of these words have a more positive "feel" to them, some a more negative "feel".​​

*POSITIVE: slim, lean

*Negative: scrawny, emaciated

*Neutral: skinny​, tiny (These might be viewed either way.)

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Your turn.

Read the following questions and choose the best answer for each one.​

Multiple Choice

Consider these words - problem, disaster.

Which has a more intense, stronger connotation?

• problem

• disaster

Multiple Choice

Conisder these words - messy, filthy.

Which has a negative connotation?

• filthy

• messy

Multiple Choice

Consider the following words - remind, nag

Which has a more positive connotation?

• remind

• nag

Multiple Choice

Consider the following words - unwise, foolish.

Which has a negative connotation?

• unwise

• foolish

Multiple Choice

Consider the following words - curious, nosy

Which has a positive connotation?

• nosy

• curious

Multiple Choice

Choose the connotiation of the word "giggle".

• positive

• negative

• neutral

Multiple Choice

Choose the connotation of the word "cackle".

• positive

• negative

• neutral

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentence:

The baby was very clever. It already knew how to crawl into a room without making a sound.

How would the meaning of the sentence change if the author used "cunning" instead of the word "clever"?

• The baby would seem sneakier

• The baby would seem cuter

• The baby would seem louder

• The baby would not seem smart

Multiple Choice

Read the following passage:

"He's very influential in the clowning community," she whispered to her friend, pointing to the tall man in loose pants and rainbow suspenders striding across the room. "He's a great artist. Balloon animals have never been the same."

How does the author intend the word "influential" to be taken in this passage?

• positive

• neutral

• negatively

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentence:

The man stretched slowly, then continued his sluggish walk down the street.

How would the meaning of the sentence change if the author used the word "unhurried" instead of the word "sluggish"?

• the man wold seem more talented

• the man would seem animal-like

• the man would seem funnier

• The man would seem less lazy

Multiple Choice

A flock of flamingos slowly picked their way across the lawn towards the Gupta family where they stood waiting.

How would the meaning of the sentence change is the author used the word "mob" instead of the word "flock"?

• The flamingos would seem friendlier

• The flamingos would seem more indifferent

• The flamingos would seem more elegant

• The flamingos would seem more threatening

Multiple Choice

Words that have the same denotation are called ________.

• synonyms

• antonyms

• rhymes

• figurative language

Multiple Choice

 

When you look up a word in the dictionary, you find its ___________.

• denotation

• connotation

Multiple Choice

. 

What is the term for the emotional meaning of a word?

• denotation

• connotation

• antonym

• synonym

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence below. The word tranquil has a ________ connotation.

The baby looked tranquil as he slept.

• positive

• negative

• neutral

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence below. The word dinky has a ________ connotation.

My mom only let me eat a dinky scoop of ice cream.

• positive

• negative

• neutral

Multiple Choice

Read the sentences. What is the difference between the words mortified and embarrassed?

a. Sam was mortified when he was called to come up onstage during the assembly.

b. Sam was embarrassed when he was called to come up onstage during the assembly.

• "Embarrassed" is more intense and has a more negative connotation than "mortified"

• "mortified" and "embarrassed" have different denotations

• "mortified" is more intense and has a more negative connotation than "embarrassed"

• "mortified" is an antonym of "embarrassed"

Multiple Choice

Read the sentences below. What is the difference between the words surprised and astounded?

a. Julie was surprised to find out that her grandma was coming for a visit.

b. Julie was astounded to find out that her grandma was coming for a visit.

• "astounded" is more intense than "surprised" and implies that Julie is even more shocked.

• "Surprised" is an antonym of "astounded"

• "surprised" is more intense than "astounded" and implies that Julie is even more shocked.

• "surprised" and "astounded" have different denotations