Connotation and Denotation

Front

What is connotation?

Back

Connotation refers to the emotional or cultural associations that a word carries, beyond its literal meaning.

Front

What is denotation?

Back

Denotation is the literal or dictionary meaning of a word.

Front

Give an example of a word with a positive connotation.

Back

'Youthful' has a positive connotation, suggesting energy and vitality.

Front

Give an example of a word with a negative connotation.

Back

'Stingy' has a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of generosity.

Front

What does it mean if a word has a neutral connotation?

Back

A neutral connotation means the word does not evoke strong emotional responses, such as 'furniture'.

Front

How can context clues help determine the meaning of a word?

Back

Context clues are hints found within the surrounding text that help readers infer the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Front

What is an example of a phrase with a negative connotation?

Back

'A box crammed with documents' suggests disorder and chaos.

Front

What is an example of a phrase with a positive connotation?

Back

'A box filled with documents' suggests organization and completeness.

Front

What is the difference between connotation and denotation?

Back

Denotation is the literal meaning of a word, while connotation includes the emotional and cultural associations.

Front

Why is understanding connotation important in writing?

Back

Understanding connotation helps writers choose words that convey the intended tone and emotion.