connotation

Everyday

A feeling or idea that a word suggests, in addition to its basic meaning. For example, «home» means a place to live, but it suggests warmth and safety. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons, pupils study how writers choose words for their connotations: «slim» has good connotations, «skinny» can sound negative, though both mean thin. In poetry and persuasive writing, connotations shape how readers feel. It tells the reader to think beyond the dictionary meaning. Opposite term: denotation (the plain, literal meaning).

Examples

• The word "home" has connotations of warmth and safety. tree →
• "Stubborn" and "determined" have different connotations. tree →
• Red can have connotations of danger or of love. tree →
• The poet chose words with dark connotations to create fear. tree →
• "Cheap" can have negative connotations, while "good value" sounds positive. tree →
• Discuss the connotations of the word "storm" in the poem. tree →

Note

Countable: a connotation, connotations. Verb: connote. Denotation = what a word literally means; connotation = what it suggests. Connotations can differ between countries and people.