Words / B2

kon-uh-TAYSHUN/ˌkɒnəˈteɪʃn/

A connotation is an idea or feeling a word suggests beyond its literal meaning: negative connotations; the connotation of “regime”. Denotation is the literal meaning; implication is a close twin (imply already in the dictionary). Comment on the connotation of “regime” in the extract. Mix-up: annotation; connection (already in the dictionary). Do not write connotation for a dictionary definition alone.

Meaning

An idea or feeling a word suggests beyond its literal meaning.

Examples

• “Comment on the connotation of “regime” in the extract, the language paper said.”
• “A positive connotation of “home” featured in the poem, which is the suggested-feeling sense.”

Good to know

the connotation of; positive / negative connotations. Literal twin: denotation. Trap: annotation / connection. Language papers and literature. Extra suggested meaning, not the dictionary denotation.

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