Meaning & use

connotation

noun·Academic

An idea or feeling that a word suggests beyond its literal, dictionary meaning.

See it in a sentence

The word 'home' carries warmer connotations than the more neutral word 'house.'

Advertisers choose words carefully because of the connotations they carry for consumers.

A note on using this word

Contrast with 'denotation,' the word's literal meaning; connotation covers the emotional or cultural associations attached to it.

Words with a similar meaning

undertoneimplication

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “connotation”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.