Connotation vs. Denotation

Almost every word has two kinds of meanings…

Denotation:the straightforward dictionary

definition

Connotation:the ideas and feelings associated with

the word

There are three types of connotations:

a. POSITIVE – a good thing

b. NEGATIVE – a bad thing

c. NEUTRAL- not good or bad; indifferent; used when you or the author don’t want to show strong emotions either way

For Example

Positive Neutral Negative

That’s a glamorous necklace.

That’s a nice necklace.

That’s a gaudy necklace.

The model was slender.

The model was thin.

The model was scrawny.

Practice

For the following pairs of terms, write a short explanation of why you might like to be described by one term, but not the other. Also, identify whether the word you picked has a positive, negative or neutral connotation.

firm or stubborn flexible or wishy-washy original or weird scholar or bookworm arrogant or proud