Connotation vs. Denotation

Connotation and Denotation are two ways to describe the meanings of ________________

• planets

• birds

• words

• sentences

Connotations refers to a meaning that is implied by a word. Connotations are often decided by cultural and emotional meanings. If someone called you childish, would it be considered a negative or positive connotation?

• positive

• negative

Which phrase has a negative connotation?

• a stingy person

• a thrifty person

Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.

I admire the man who jumped on the subway tracks to rescue a stranger. He was certainly ________________.

• foolhearty

• courageous

• rash

• reckless

Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.

My friend is very careful about spending money. I admire that, so I call him ______________.

• thrifty

• stingy

• miserly

• selfish

Which word has a negative connotation?

• stench

• smell

Which phrase has negative connotation?

• a box filled with documents

• a box crammed with documents

Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.

She was disappointed that the dress she wanted to buy her daughter was ________________ as she ran her fingers across the fabric.

• expensive

• overpriced

• unafordable

• pricey

Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.

Although the problem was difficult to resolve, Sandra and John were ________________ in searching for an answer. Their teacher was quite proud.

• persistent

• stubborn

• bullheaded

• headstrong

A denotation is a literal or specific dictionary meaning. Many use context clues to decide on the meaning of a word that they may not be familiar with. True or False

• True

• False