Connotation Continuum

the literal, dictionary definition of a word

• denotation
• connotation
• etymology
• synonym

the emotional and/or figurative meaning of a word

• denotation
• connotation
• etymology
• context clues

word that means the roughly same thing

• synonym
• connotation
• etymology
• context clue

synonyms can have different

• connotations
• denotations
• definitions

connotation can be described by all of the following EXCEPT

• positive
• negative
• neutral
• synonym

The word scrawny, as in "Jason appeared scrawny," has a _________ connotation.

• positive

• negative

Referring to someone's house as a "shack" would have a __________ connotation.

• positive

• negative

I recognized the familiar smell of my roommate's cooking. If you change the word smell to stench, the word now has a ____________ connotation.

• positive
• negative

McDonald's is an inexpensive meal. If you change the word inexpensive to cheap, the word now has a ____ connotation.

• positive
• negative

Choose the word with the positive connotation.

• inquiring
• prying