What Is Denotation?
Denotation is the basic or literal definition of a word.
Word
Denotation
rose
A flowering bush. The flowers grow
on a woody stem with thorns.
Roses come in many colours and
often have a nice smell.
chicken
A type of bird that provide eggs and
meat. Often found on farms or at
times they are also kept in
backyards.
cheap
Low in price. Affordable.
shady
An area that blocks out the sun.
What Is Connotation?
Connotation are additional meanings, feelings or intentions of a word.
Sometimes words are used in ways that change their basic meaning or
they have associated meanings.
Word
Connotation
rose
Red roses indicate romance.
White roses indicate purity.
chicken
A cowardly person.
cheap
Stingy, mean with money.
shady
Untrustworthy
Look at the word meanings and write down as many words with a similar
basic meaning as you can. The first one has been done for you.
Thin
A building that people live in.
Move about on
foot.
slim
house
walk
Here are some examples you might have on your list.
Thin
A building that people live in.
Move about on
foot.
slim
house
walk
slender
shack
wander
lean
apartment
shuffle
scrawny
mansion
stride
skinny
bach
strut
The connotations of words can impact which words we
use.
Words can have neutral, negative or positive connotations.
Word
Example usage
thin
house
scrawny
Connotation
Positive/Negative/
Neutral
She was on thin
ice after being
late for work
again.
Indicates that
she is almost out
of chances.
Negative
He lived in the
house on the hill.
Indicates simply
where someone’s
house is.
Neutral
The dog was
scrawny and
muddy.
Indicates the dog
may be a stray or
uncared for.
Negative
Do these words have positive, negative or neutral
connotations?
Use each word in a sentence to demonstrate the connotation.
Can any of them be used in both positive and negative ways?
Word
Positive/Negative
Word
clever
snob
weird
hovel
bossy
rigid
Positive/Negative
What Is the Connotation?
Look at each statement and decide if the word used has a neutral,
negative or positive connotation. What does the use of each word imply?
Statement:
Connotation
The attendant was assertive with
the difficult customer.
Positive
The customer described him as
forceful.
Negative
What Is the Connotation?
Look at each statement and decide if the word used has a neutral,
negative or positive connotation. What does the use of each word imply?
Statement:
Connotation
The student was a nerd.
Negative
He was a very clever comedian.
Positive
What Is the Connotation?
Look at each statement and decide if the word used has a neutral,
negative or positive connotation. What does the use of each word imply?
Statement:
Jo’s project was unique.
The old man was weird.
Connotation
Positive or Negative - this will
depend on context.
Negative
Context: The setting or surrounding information that gives us a fuller picture. In this case, it
could be the tone of voice.
What Is the Connotation?
Look at each statement and decide if the word used has a neutral,
negative or positive connotation. What does the use of each word imply?
Statement:
Connotation
The kitchen had a strong smell as
we walked in.
Neutral
The kitchen had a strong stench as
we walked in.
Negative
What Is the Connotation?
Look at each statement and decide if the word used has a neutral,
negative or positive connotation. What does the use of each word imply?
Statement:
Connotation
The baby was very curious and
explored the toys.
Positive
Lee was very nosy about what was
happening.
Negative
What Is the Connotation?
Look at each statement and decide if the word used has a neutral,
negative or positive connotation. What does the use of each word imply?
Statement:
Connotation
Mr Malo lectured the students
about keeping on top of their
studies.
Negative
Mr Malo taught the students about
keeping on top of their studies.
Positive
Choose the Right Word
Look at each statement and decide if the word used has a neutral,
negative or positive connotation. What does the use of each word imply?
The actor walked proudly onto the stage.
The actor strutted
________ onto the stage.
shuffled
strutted
snuck
walked
sheepishly
Choose the Right Word
Look at each statement and decide if the word used has a neutral,
negative or positive connotation. What does the use of each word imply?
The water was hot enough to cause burns.
scalding
The water was __________.
balmy
sizzling
tepid
scalding
Choose the Right Word
Look at each statement and decide if the word used has a neutral,
negative or positive connotation. What does the use of each word imply?
The seal was the biggest one Sana had ever seen on the rocks.
massive
The seal was _________.
large
slight
typical
massive