Connotative and Denotative Word Meanings

Denotation is a word's ____________.

• Literal, dictionary definition
• Emotional meaning
• synonym
• antonym

Connotation is a word's ___________.

• synonym
• emotional meaning
• antonym
• Literal, dictionary definition.

The word thin, as in "you are very thin" has a _______ connotation.

• positive
• negative

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

Kevin's interest in model cars has turned into a hobby. If you change the word hobby to obsession, the word now has a _____ connotation.

• positive
• negative

The teacher was mildly intimated by Merdine's bossy behavior. If you change the word bossy to assertive, the word now has a ____ connotation.

• positive
• negative

Choose the word with the positive connotation.
gathering--mob

• gathering
• mob