noun
C2
Proficient
connotation
kon-uh-TAY-shuhn
Connotation (noun) means an idea, feeling or association that a word carries in addition to its plain dictionary meaning. Example: “Cheap" and "inexpensive" mean much the same, but "cheap" has negative connotations.”
noun
1
An idea, feeling or association that a word carries in addition to its plain dictionary meaning.
""Cheap" and "inexpensive" mean much the same, but "cheap" has negative connotations."
"The word "home" carries connotations of warmth and safety."
How to use connotation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe extra feeling or idea a word gives you beyond its basic meaning.
When to use it
Common in literary criticism, marketing and language teaching.
Memory tip
Words have connotations; people draw inferences. Do not swap the two.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
negative connotations
carries connotations of
has the connotation of
positive connotation
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
"Cheap" and "inexpensive" mean much the same, but "cheap" has negative _____.
Etymology
From medieval Latin connotatio, from connotare "to mark in addition", from con- "together with" and notare "to note".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for connotation
region
cation
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
See all rhymes for 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.
What is the meaning of connotation?
"connotation" (noun) means an idea, feeling or association that a word carries in addition to its plain dictionary meaning.
