Connotation — English definition
Defined in 7 courses:
- The feelings and associations a word carries beyond its dictionary definition, such as the warm feeling of 'home' versus the plain meaning of 'house.' (English 6)
- The feelings or associations a word carries beyond its dictionary definition (e.g., 'thrifty' feels positive, while 'stingy' feels negative). (English 6)
- Associations or attitudes a word can carry beyond its central definition. (English 7: Reading, Evidence & Expression)
- The emotional association a word carries beyond its literal dictionary definition. (English 8: Trust, Community & Responsibility)
- The emotional or cultural association a word carries beyond its dictionary definition. (English 9: Experience, Perspective & Inquiry)
- The emotional or cultural association a word carries beyond its literal, dictionary meaning (its denotation). (English 10: Choices, Conscience & Consequences)
- The emotional or cultural associations a word carries beyond its literal, dictionary meaning (its denotation). (English 10: Choices, Conscience & Consequences)
Where it is taught
- Point of View & Figurative Language — Reading Literature, English 6, Grade 6
- Figurative Language & Word Relationships — Language & Vocabulary, English 6, Grade 6
- Context Clues, Nuance & Dictionary Checks — Language, Vocabulary & Sentence Craft, English 7: Reading, Evidence & Expression, Grade 7
- Tone & Mood — Close Reading & Literary Analysis, English 8: Trust, Community & Responsibility, Grade 8
- Figurative & Connotative Language — Close Reading & Literary Analysis, English 9: Experience, Perspective & Inquiry, Grade 9
- Author's Craft & Figurative Language — Close Reading & Literary Analysis, English 10: Choices, Conscience & Consequences, Grade 10
- Diction & Tone — Language, Style & Conventions, English 10: Choices, Conscience & Consequences, Grade 10
In use
Finally, meaning can hide inside a single word, in the gap between denotation and connotation.
Point of View & Figurative Language
A word's denotation is its literal dictionary definition; its connotation is the mood or association it carries.
Figurative Language & Word Relationships
Denotation is a word’s central dictionary meaning; connotation includes associations that affect tone.
Context Clues, Nuance & Dictionary Checks
Questions using connotation
Problem 1
Answer and explanation
(1) First-person point of view ('I,' 'my'). (2) Metaphor — 'my backpack a boulder' makes the pack feel crushingly heavy (with personification in 'the trail seemed to sneer'). (3) 'Sneer' denotes a scornful look but connotes cruel mockery, making the trail feel like a taunting rival.
(1) First-person point of view ('I,' 'my'). (2) Metaphor — 'my backpack a boulder' makes the pack feel crushingly heavy (with personification in 'the trail seemed to sneer'). (3) 'Sneer' denotes a scornful look but connotes cruel mockery, making the trail feel like a taunting rival.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 2
Answer and explanation
(1) First-person point of view ('I,' 'my'). (2) Metaphor — 'my backpack a boulder' makes the pack feel crushingly heavy (with personification in 'the trail seemed to sneer'). (3) 'Sneer' denotes a scornful look but connotes cruel mockery, making the trail feel like a taunting rival.
(1) First-person point of view ('I,' 'my'). (2) Metaphor — 'my backpack a boulder' makes the pack feel crushingly heavy (with personification in 'the trail seemed to sneer'). (3) 'Sneer' denotes a scornful look but connotes cruel mockery, making the trail feel like a taunting rival.
Response criteria
- Answer the actual question with accurate details.
- Explain how the evidence or language choice supports the conclusion.
- State a relevant limit, alternative or justified revision.
Problem 3
Answer and explanation
'Curious' has a positive connotation — it suggests a friendly, healthy interest — while 'nosy' has a negative connotation, suggesting someone is prying where they are not wanted. Even though the two words have a similar denotation, choosing 'curious' compliments a person while 'nosy' criticizes them, so the connotation changes the whole message.
Problem 4
- 'thrifty' and 'stingy'
- 'happy' and 'joyful'
- 'big' and 'large'
- 'fast' and 'quick'
Answer and explanation
'thrifty' and 'stingy'
'Thrifty' and 'stingy' both mean careful with money (similar denotation), but 'thrifty' feels positive and 'stingy' feels negative — a clear difference in connotation. The other pairs are simply synonyms with similar feelings.
Taught alongside
- point of view
- first-person point of view
- third-person limited point of view
- third-person omniscient point of view
- figurative language
- simile
- metaphor
- personification
- hyperbole
- denotation
- idiom
- evidence
- qualification
- revision