Connotation is an associated meaning of a word as it is understood in a particular time or society, which is in addition to its literal meaning. Connotations are derived from context and usage.
Denotation is the literal (dictionary) definition of a word.
Effective reading skills rely on a reader knowing both the denotation and possible connotations of a word. Both connotations and denotations can change over time, but connotations can change or be added more rapidly. Here are some examples and explanations:
Usage
“She’s looking quite scrawny lately.”
“She’s looking quite svelte lately.”
Both sentences mean that the subject looks thin (scrawny and svelte are synonyms for thin). However, scrawny connotes excessive thinness and boniness, while svelte connotes slenderness and gracefulness.
The same word also can have a positive, negative, or neutral connotation based on usage.
“The show last night was crazy!” (positive)
“She is really acting crazy today.” (negative)
“That was a righteous performance of that song.” (positive)
“He got all righteous about people not touching things on his desk.” (negative)
Association
Some words have associated meanings based on cultural connections. Here is just a small sampling of current connotations. You can look up their denotations in a dictionary.
chill = relax
cool = fine, excellent; socially adept
goth/gothic = characterized by black clothes and heavy makeup
green = environmentally conscientious
Hollywood = glitzy, glamorous; shallow
hot = excellent; intense; attractive
Nazi = anyone who is controlling or fanatical
snake = a deceitful, dangerous person
sweet = awesome, exciting
Idioms and Metaphors
“Don’t be such a pig.”
Connotations figure prominently in idioms and metaphors. This sentence is an example of the denotation (pig = barnyard animal that likes mud) having little meaning. It is the connotation (pig = messy, gluttonous) that makes sense here. Someone might say this to a person eating ravenously or not cleaning up his or her room!
“My car turned out to be a lemon.”
Again, knowing that a lemon is a sour citrus fruit doesn’t help here. The connotation of lemon is something defective or damaged.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Word(s) of the Week: Connotation and Denotation
