The Meanings of WordsThe Meanings of Words

Denotation and Denotation and ConnotationConnotation

DenotationDenotation

The strict The strict dictionary dictionary meaning of a meaning of a wordword

ConnotationConnotation

The emotional The emotional and and imaginative imaginative association association surrounding a surrounding a wordword

Denotation vs. Connotation

•Denotation is the dictionary or literal meaning of a word.

Connotative words imply emotions. Plump = a full, round. Fat = While similar in meaning to

plump, it has a very harsh and mean tone.

Word ChoiceWord Choice

You may live in a You may live in a househouse, but we live , but we live in a in a homehome..

The The connotation in in this sentence is that a this sentence is that a “home” is much more “home” is much more than merely the than merely the structure of a house. structure of a house.

The connotation of a word is The connotation of a word is often either often either positivepositive or or

negativenegative

PositivePositive

We bought We bought inexpensiveinexpensive souvenirs at the souvenirs at the amusement park.amusement park.

NegativeNegative

We bought We bought cheapcheap souvenirs souvenirs at the amusement at the amusement park.park.

Which word has a Which word has a positivepositive connotation and which has a connotation and which has a

negativenegative one? one?

Everyone had a Everyone had a smirksmirk on his/her on his/her face on the ride face on the ride home.home.

Everyone had a Everyone had a smilesmile on his/her on his/her face on the way face on the way home.home.positiv

e

negative

Connotation: Connotation: NegativeNegative

I ate a I ate a soggysoggy sandwich.sandwich.

Another example…Another example…

You look a little odd today.

You look really weird today.

Which one do think has a stronger, more negative feel to it?

Which word has a positive Which word has a positive connotation? You Decide!connotation? You Decide!

averageaverage mediocremediocre

spit saliva

childish childlike

antique old-fashioned

ConnotationConnotation

•Opposite of Opposite of DenotationDenotation

•Implied Implied MeaningMeaning

•May be May be Favorable or Favorable or unfavorableunfavorable

Which words have Which words have negative connotations? negative connotations? You Decide!You Decide!

1. The (1. The (odorodor, , fragrancefragrance) of apple ) of apple blossoms filled the entire valley.blossoms filled the entire valley.

2. A (swarm, bunch) of bees filled the air near the hive.

Tone = EmotionTone = Emotion

The tone of the words is what evokes a certain emotion.

Let’s Play...Let’s Play...

Word ChoiceWord Choice

Word ChoiceWord Choice

Positive Viewpoint

Negative Viewpoint

100

200

300

100

200

300

Positive ConnotationPositive Connotation

immatureimmature

youthfulyouthful

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Positive ConnotationPositive Connotation

limitlimit

restrictrestrict

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Positive ViewpointPositive Viewpoint

filthyfilthy

dirtydirty

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Negative ViewpointNegative Viewpoint

stingystingy

thriftythrifty

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Negative ViewpointNegative Viewpoint

clutteredcluttered

messymessy

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Negative ViewpointNegative Viewpoint

unusualunusual

weirdweird

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Well Well Done!Done!