Denotation
The denotation of a word is the actual definition of the word rather
than the nuances of its meaning or the feelings it implies. The
denotation of a word does not carry the associations, emotions, or
attitudes that the word might have. The opposite concept is called connotation,
which refers to those associations and nuances that a word carries. For
example, the words “house” and “home” are synonyms in English and have
the same denotation, i.e., a place where one lives. However, they have
different connotations. “House” connotes the building itself and is a
slightly colder word to use when referring to the place where one lives,
whereas “home” has a warmer connotation and implies a more personal
living space.
The word denotation comes from the Latin word denotationem, which means indication. It came into more frequent usage in English in 1843 when it was used as a word in logic.
Connotation
The connotation of a word refers to the emotional or cultural
association with that word rather than its dictionary definition. The
connotation definition is therefore not the explicit meaning of the
word, but rather the meaning that the word implies.
Connotation comes from the Latin word “connotare,” which means, “to mark in addition.”
In some cases, connotation can also be similar to symbolism
as it hinges on culturally-accepted meanings. For example, the
connotation of a red rose is love and passion, and if an author were to
refer to a red rose while talking about a relationship, the reader would
understand that this connotation and symbolism was at play. However,
there are many cases of connotation that don’t use symbolism, as shown
below in the “Examples of Connotation in Common Speech” section.
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