connotative language

Meanings

1. 1noununcountabletechnical

   Wording that carries emotions, associations, or suggested ideas in addition to what the words literally name.

   Grammar: Treated as a mass noun: connotative language is, not connotative languages are.

   Patterns

   • use connotative language
   • connotative language in something

   Calling a house a home is connotative language, because home suggests warmth and belonging.

   Advertisers rely on connotative language to make products feel exciting.

   The poem's connotative language leaves readers with a sense of loss.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   In literature classes, the technique of choosing words for the mood or attitude they evoke, in contrast to literal, factual wording.

   Grammar: Often contrasted with denotative language in analysis questions.

   Patterns

   • analyze the connotative language
   • connotative language versus denotative language

   Students were asked to find examples of connotative language in the opening paragraph.

   A news report uses less connotative language than an opinion column.

   The writer's connotative language portrays the storm as an angry giant.

Common combinations

use connotative language

Good poets use connotative language to stir feelings.

examples of connotative language

Examples of connotative language include 'slim' versus 'skinny'.

connotative language and denotative language

Connotative language and denotative language serve different purposes in writing.

rich in connotative language

The speech was rich in connotative language and emotionally powerful.

Synonyms and how they differ

figurative language

Figurative language uses images like metaphor, whereas connotative language can be a single word with emotional shading.

emotive language

Emotive language is chosen to stir strong feelings, while connotative language covers any suggested meaning, even subtle.

loaded language

Loaded language is designed to push a view and has a negative tone, while connotative language is a neutral term.

Opposites

Word family

connotation noun

a feeling or idea a word suggests

connote verb

to suggest an idea beyond the literal meaning

connotative adjective

suggesting associations beyond the literal

denotation noun

the literal dictionary meaning of a word

Commonly confused: connotative language or denotative language?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “connotative language”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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