When you are immersed in a novel, your mind selects the correct emotion from just words on a page. That’s the connotation meaning! It is a literary device in which writers use words not because of their literal definition but the implied meaning.
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What Does Connotation Mean?
As mentioned earlier, the word “connotation” isn’t about the literal meaning or explicit meaning of the word. Instead, you are focused on the subtle implication or feeling it evokes. In short, you are reading between the lines!
Let’s take a look at “childish” and “youthful.” Both words have similar denotative meanings. But if you use the word “childish” to describe an adult, the meaning changes to petty or immature. But when you use “youthful,” it translates to someone who has a vibrant energy and a fresh perspective on life. That’s how connotation works!
Fun Fact: The origin of “connotation,” pronounced kon-no-tay-shun, traces back to the medieval Latin term “connotare,” which translates to “mark in addition.”
Examples of connotation
- Use words with negative connotations sparingly; they are often seen as emotional or manipulative.
- The adjective “sly” might share a similar dictionary definition with “clever,” but it carries a connotation of deceit and trickery.
- Although “char” has a somewhat negative connotation in American culture, it can have a positive connotation in subcultures where it is a culinary term.
- The man bristled at being called miserly. He preferred to think of himself as frugal, which had a more positive connotation.
- The word liable has a somewhat negative connotation, how about saying “responsible” instead?
How to Use Connotation in Writing?
There are three different connotations that you can use in your next story – positive connotation, neutral connotation, and negative connotation.
Let’s say you want to introduce a new character: a male. You could describe him as of average height, which has a neutral connotation. If this character is an athlete or a warrior, you might choose descriptors like lean or fit, which has a positive connotation.
On the flip side, if your character is ill or injured, emaciated and skinny are excellent word choices for a negative connotation. You can use other synonyms, but remember, the goal is to paint a picture of a frail man who is unhealthy and weak
When to Use the Word Connotation?
You should use the word “connotation” whenever you are describing how a term makes you or others feel rather than solely relying on the official definition of the word. Since the word “connotation” is a noun, you can use it like this: “When she described her new car as “pre-owned,” it had a more positive connotation than “used.”
Connotation vs. Denotation: What’s the Difference?
The difference between connotation and denotation is the meaning. Denotation is the literal or practical definition of a word that you will find in the dictionary or you would be expected to provide on a vocabulary test. On the other hand, connotation is the emotional intention attached to the word. As mentioned earlier, there is a positive, neutral, and negative connotation.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, connotations attach emotional context that goes beyond the basic meaning of the words we use. Writers carefully select words with either positive or negative connotations, guiding readers on what they should and shouldn’t feel.
