Figurative, Connotative, and Denotative Word Meanings

Which of the following best describes a connotative meaning?

• The literal meaning of a word

• The emotional or cultural association with a word

• The historical origin of a word

• The phonetic pronunciation of a word

What is the denotative meaning of the word "rose"?

• A symbol of love

• A type of flower

• A feeling of passion

• A sign of beauty

What type of text would most likely include denotative meanings?

• Poetry

• Informational text

• Fiction

• Personal essays

Which sentence uses a word with a connotative meaning?

• The sky is blue.

• She has a heart of gold.

• Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

• The book is on the table.

Which of the following is an example of denotative language?

• The sun smiled down on us.

• The cat is on the mat.

• He is a shining star.

• She is feeling blue.

What is the main difference between connotative and denotative meanings?

• Connotative meanings are literal, while denotative meanings are emotional.

• Denotative meanings are literal, while connotative meanings are emotional.

• Connotative meanings are historical, while denotative meanings are modern.

• Denotative meanings are historical, while connotative meanings are modern.

• The words exhausted and tired have different denotative meanings, but they share the figurative meaning “fed up.”

• The words exhausted and tired share a denotative meaning, and the figurative meaning of tired is “effective.”

• The words exhausted and tired share a denotative meaning, and the figurative meaning of tired is “overused.”

• The words exhausted and tired have different denotative meanings, and the figurative meaning of exhausted is “empty.”

• denotative: series of stairs; connotative: imaginative display

• denotative: swift movement; connotative: farewell

• denotative: trip by airplane; connotative: rush

• denotative: act of leaving; connotative: escape

• to emphasize Katarina’s feelings of anxiety

• to explain the seriousness of Katarina’s possible illness

• to show the narrator’s sense of humor

• to highlight the caring personality of the narrator

• a state of physical or emotional balance

• something divided into parts of equal value

• an instance of two things being treated equally

• something requiring immediate attention or focus