What is the difference between the denotative and connotative meanings of words?

• Categorized under Words | Difference Between Connotation and Denotation

Connotation vs Denotation

The terms “connotation” and “denotation” are sometimes wrongly interchanged because of their close resemblance in terms of sound pronunciation. Nevertheless, the two should be treated differently as they are used distinctively in philosophy, linguistics, and grammar.

Denotation is actually the word’s literal meaning. As such, it is regarded as a “dictionary definition.” Thus, when you look for the word “snake” in the dictionary, you’ll stumble upon its most denotative definition like any reptilian, long, tapering, and often venomous cylindrical animals found in temperate or in tropical areas that is characterized as being legless and scaly.

Connotation is very different because it pertains to the more loose associations to a particular word. It can also include the emotional input that is connected to a certain term or word. The connotative definition or description coexists with its denotative meaning. And so, when you are asked about the connotative meaning of the word “snake,” one of your best answers could be “danger.” Associating “evil” with snakes is also pretty acceptable. Another example is defining a “rose” denotatively as a type of red flower having petals while connotatively as a romantic symbol, or associating it with Valentine’s Day.

One more important characteristic of denotation is its limiting yet more descriptive nature. If you are asked to define what a chair is, you’ll most likely say that it is just your typical piece of furniture that usually has a back part for support when you try to fall back while sitting. It also has a base to sit on and four legs that support the furniture itself. This definition is often true to most cases when you are talking about a standard type of chair.

However, if you are asked about the connotation of the word “chair,” you can talk about it in a variety of ways. One is by giving a positive connotation to it when you walked for several hours and finally found a chair to sit upon. Another way of connotation is a negative impression when you give a negative remark “Stupid chair!” because you tripped over it while you were walking inside the classroom at night when the lights were out.

Summary:

1.Denotation is the actual literal definition or meaning of a word or term. It is the dictionary definition.
2.Connotation is an association of a term. It can also be an emotional input attached to a word thus making it more figurative and suggestive.
3.Denotation gives a more limited yet descriptive definition of a term.
4.Connotation can have a variety of descriptions affected by mood, emotion, experience, and season, among other factors.

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, . (2016, June 8). Difference Between Connotation and Denotation. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/language/words-language/difference-between-connotation-and-denotation/.
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Written by : Julita. and updated on 2016, June 8

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A connotation is the feeling a word invokes. But take note! A denotation is what the word literally says. If these words were on a trip, connotation would be the baggage, and denotation would be the traveler.

A connotation is the baggage a word or idea drags around. The word "baggage" often has a negative connotation. If you say someone has baggage, unless they're at the airport, you mean the person is lugging around some drama. Some words, like "awesome birthday cake," have a positive connotation. Here are some other examples:

"Long before the Christian era, people celebrated the winter equinox. Let's remove religious connotations and call it the winter equinox break." (Washington Post)

"I kind of hate that word 'collector' because it has such a financial investment connotation." ( Los Angeles Times)

"Bryan has instead always opted for baseball caps, a fashion item that carries few connotations other than a sense of casualness and youth." (The Guardian)

Denotation is literally the word for a word! It's the literal meaning of a word, a gesture, or any mark, without emotion. No strings attached. The root of denotation means, "make a note of." Let's make a note of these examples:

"In fact, the 'Parks and Recreation' alum said he didn't know the word's medical denotation." (Los Angeles Times)

"Mr. McDougall gave a strange charge to a gesture that, in Baroque dance, probably has a simple denotation." ( New York Times)

People love to read between the lines, so connotation is more popular, but it's often held up against its more rigid friend denotation.

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