Connotation
Literary term · say it kon-uh-TAY-shun
Connotation is the feeling or association a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Words with similar definitions can suggest very different attitudes: slim often sounds approving, while scrawny usually sounds critical.
Two common kinds of connotation
Positive connotation
A word has a positive connotation when it suggests something pleasant, admirable, or welcome. Its associations can encourage affection or approval.
In A Christmas Carol, Fred visits Scrooge's office and wishes him a merry Christmas. Merry carries associations of cheer, friendliness, and shared celebration.
In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Negative connotation
A word has a negative connotation when it suggests something unpleasant, threatening, or unworthy. Its associations can express dislike or invite disapproval.
In A Christmas Carol, Scrooge dismisses Christmas as humbug when Fred greets him. Humbug suggests fraud and empty nonsense, revealing his contempt for the celebration.
In A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
How to spot connotation
- Find a word that stirs a feeling or judgment.
- Separate its literal meaning from the associations it brings.
- Try a similar word and notice how the feeling changes.
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What is the difference between connotation and denotation?
Denotation is a word's literal meaning, while connotation is the feeling or association attached to it. Home and residence can name the same place, but home often suggests comfort and belonging, while residence sounds more formal.
Does a word always have the same connotation?
No, a word's connotation can change with its context, its speaker, and the reader's experience. Calling someone ambitious may express admiration in one passage and suspicion in another. Nearby words and the situation help show which associations matter.
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