Connotations

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Connotations are ideas or feelings which a word invokes for a person in addition to its literal or primary meaning. This is in contrast to a denotation, which is the literal meaning of a word.

Examples of Connotations

In English, connotations can have negative, neutral, or positive meanings.

The best way to understand this is by looking at a few examples.

  • skinny/thin/slender

He is too skinny. The connotation is that the person is underweight and unhealthy.

He is thin. There is no connotation.

He is slender. The connotation is that the person looks good.

  • bizarre/unusual/extraordinary

This is a bizarre situation. The connotation is that situation is strange.

This is an unusual situation. There is no additional connotation.

This is an extraordinary situation. The connotation is that this situation is unique in a good way.

  • domineering/forceful/assertive

My boss is domineering. The connotation is that my boss is very bossy in a bad way.

My boss is forceful. No additional connotation.

My boss is assertive. The connotation is that my boss is a good leader and can get their points across.

Why do we use connotations?

To influence people

One of the best reasons to use connotation is to influence your reader. By carefully picking the words that you use, you can bias or not bias people into thinking what you want.

For example, I can say:

My parents are stingy.

I could use many different words instead such as prudent, careful with their money, thrifty, frugal, ect…[1]https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/connotation.htm#exam

However, I carefully chose the word stingy. Stingy gives the connotation that my parents don’t care about me and only care about themselves, especially with regards to money.

To be concise and precise

The best writers and speakers are concise and precise with their words. This means that they are able to use the least amount of words to fully convey their meaning.[2]https://literaryterms.net/when-and-how-to-use-connotation/ This is where connotation comes into play.

For example, I can say

My boss is very thorough with his work.

Or I can say

My boss is very nitpicky with his work.

This is much stronger than the previous word as it gets to the connotation that my boss is overly concerned with insignificant details.

Example Exercises

Read each sentence and choose the word that has a positive connotation.

 13%

Question 1 of 8

1. My boss is (confident/egotistical).

Question 1 of 8

Question 2 of 8

2. I got to get back to my (home/house).

Question 2 of 8

Question 3 of 8

3. He is (unassuming/plain) in appearance.

Question 3 of 8

Question 4 of 8

4. She is very (economical/tight fisted) with her money.

Question 4 of 8

Question 5 of 8

5. You have a (youthful/childish) exuberance.

Question 5 of 8

Question 6 of 8

6. They are (extravagant/generous) with their money.

Question 6 of 8

Question 7 of 8

7. This is a (difficult/challenging).

Question 7 of 8

Question 8 of 8

8. They have a (tenacious/stubborn) personality.

Question 8 of 8


 

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