The Meanings of Words
The Meanings of Words
Denotation and Connotation
Denotation and Connotation
Denotation
Denotation
The strict
The strict
dictionary
dictionary
meaning of a
meaning of a
word
word
Connotation
Connotation
The emotional
The emotional
and imaginative
and imaginative
association
association
surrounding a
surrounding a
word
word
Denotation vs. Connotation
• Denotation is the dictionary or literal
meaning of a word.
 Connotative words imply emotions.
Plump = a full, round.
Fat = While similar in meaning to plump,
it has a very harsh and mean tone.
Word Choice
Word Choice
You may live in a
You may live in a
house
house, but we live
, but we live
in a
in a home
home.
.
The
The connotation in
in
this sentence is that a
this sentence is that a
“home” is much more
“home” is much more
than merely the
than merely the
structure of a house.
structure of a house.
The connotation of a word is
The connotation of a word is
often either
often either positive
positive or
or negative
negative
 Positive
Positive
We bought
We bought
inexpensive
inexpensive
souvenirs at the
souvenirs at the
amusement park.
amusement park.
 Negative
Negative
We bought
We bought
cheap
cheap souvenirs
souvenirs
at the amusement
at the amusement
park.
park.
Which word has a
Which word has a positive
positive connotation
connotation
and which has a
and which has a negative
negative one?
one?
 Everyone had a
Everyone had a
smirk
smirk on his/her
on his/her
face on the ride
face on the ride
home.
home.
 Everyone had a
Everyone had a
smile
smile on his/her
on his/her
face on the way
face on the way
home.
home.
positive
negative
Connotation: Negative
Connotation: Negative
I ate a
I ate a soggy
soggy
sandwich.
sandwich.
Another example…
Another example…
 You look a little odd
today.
 You look really
weird today.
Which one do think
has a stronger, more
negative feel to it?
Which word has a positive
Which word has a positive
connotation? You Decide!
connotation? You Decide!
average
average mediocre
mediocre
spit saliva
childish childlike
antique old-fashioned
Connotation
Connotation
• Opposite of
Opposite of
Denotation
Denotation
• Implied
Implied
Meaning
Meaning
• May be
May be
Favorable or
Favorable or
unfavorable
unfavorable
Which words have negative
Which words have negative
connotations? You Decide!
connotations? You Decide!
1. The (
1. The (odor
odor,
, fragrance
fragrance) of apple
) of apple
blossoms filled the entire valley.
blossoms filled the entire valley.
2. A (swarm, bunch) of bees filled the
air near the hive.
Tone = Emotion
Tone = Emotion
 The tone of the
words is what
evokes a certain
emotion.
Let’s Play...
Let’s Play...
Word Choice
Word Choice
Word Choice
Word Choice
Positive
Viewpoint
Negative
Viewpoint
100
200
300
100
200
300
Positive Connotation
Positive Connotation
 immature
immature
 youthful
youthful
 Back to Game
Back to Game
Positive Connotation
Positive Connotation
 limit
limit
 restrict
restrict
 Back to Game
Back to Game
Positive Viewpoint
Positive Viewpoint
 filthy
filthy
 dirty
dirty
 Back to Game
Back to Game
Negative Viewpoint
Negative Viewpoint
 stingy
stingy
 thrifty
thrifty
 Back to Game
Back to Game
Negative Viewpoint
Negative Viewpoint
 cluttered
cluttered
 messy
messy
 Back to Game
Back to Game
Negative Viewpoint
Negative Viewpoint
 unusual
unusual
 weird
weird
 Back to Game
Back to Game
Well Done!
Well Done!

connotation and denotation english grade 4