connotation
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for connotation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An idea, feeling or association that a word carries in addition to its plain dictionary meaning.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use connotation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
negative connotations
carries connotations of
has the connotation of
positive connotation
Common in literary criticism, marketing and language teaching.
Etymology
From medieval Latin connotatio, from connotare "to mark in addition", from con- "together with" and notare "to note".
Full origin of connotation →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between connotation and denotation?
Denotation is a word's literal, agreed meaning — the definition you would find in a dictionary entry. Connotation is everything the word suggests on top of that: feelings, judgements and cultural associations. Snake denotes a legless reptile; it connotes danger and treachery.
Can a word have a positive connotation?
Yes. Connotations may be positive, negative or neutral. Slender, thin and skinny all denote the same body shape, but slender is flattering, skinny is not, and thin sits somewhere in between.
Do connotations change over time?
They do, and quickly. Words pick up associations from how people use them, so a term that was neutral in one generation can become insulting or fashionable in the next, even though its literal meaning is unchanged.
