Connotation and Denotation

Connotation/ Denotation

Open Ended

What is connotation?

Connotation is the idea or feeling a word causes

• youthful (+) vs. immature (-)

• fragrance (+) vs. odor (-)

Open Ended

What is denotation?

Denotation is the dictionary definition (literal meaning) of the word

• youthful (+) vs. immature (-) = a young age

• fragrance (+) vs. odor (-) = a smell

Sometimes, words can have different connotations based off of the context in which they are written.

I have a lot of respect for Jenny's father. He's rather (reserved/antisocial) and dignified.

• Based off of context clues from the sentence, which connotation should we choose that would best fit the sentence?

I have a lot of respect for Jenny's father. He's rather reserved and dignified.

• Reserved would be the correct word we should choose since the sentence has a happier/positive feel to it.

• "antisocial" has a negative connotation to it, so we would not choose that to fit the sentence.

YOU TRY!

Use the context of the sentence to help you determine whether the speaker is showing approval or disapproval, then choose the best connotation for the sentence.

Multiple Choice

My brother can't stand his mother-in-law. She's practically a millionaire, but she's about as (thrifty/stingy) as a person can get.

• thrifty

• stingy

Multiple Choice

This coffee is very (bitter/strong) - just the way I like it!

• bitter

• strong

Multiple Choice

Can you please ask the new saleswoman not to be so (enthusiastic/pushy)? She is scaring away the customers.

• enthusiastic

• pushy

Multiple Choice

What is that (aroma/stench)? It reminds me of my grandmother's apple pie - delicious!

• aroma

• stench

Multiple Choice

There is a (crowd/mob) of people who are being violent in the downtown area.

• crowd

• mob