Denotation

and
Connotation
• Denotation is the literal sense of a 
word, while connotation is its 
figurative meaning. The word 
dumbness for example, denotes 
"the condition of being mute," and  
it connotes "the condition of being 
stupid."...
 What Does This Mean?

• On your note sheet, write the

meanings of these words:
–Home:
–House:
–Residence:
–Dwelling:
 What Does This Mean?

• The words home, house,

residence, and dwelling all have
the same basic definition, but the
meaning of each word is very
different.
 What Does This Mean?

• What is the definition of home,

house, residence, and
dwelling?

• ……Where a person
lives at any given time.
 What Does This Mean?

• Even though these four words

have the same DENOTATION
(DICTIONARY DEFINITION)
they all have different meanings,
or CONNOTATIONS.
 What Does This Mean?

CONNOTATIONS

–Home: cozy, loving, comfortable

–House: the actual building
–Residence: cold, no feeling
–Dwelling: primitive or basic
surrounding
 Denotation
• Denotation is the strict dictionary
meaning of a word.
–Denotation is the literal meaning of
the word.
 Connotation
• Connotation is the emotional,
cultural, and figurative meaning or
association surrounding a word.
–A connotation of a word can be
either positive or
negative.
 Examples
• If something doesn’t cost a lot, we call
it either CHEAP or INEXPENSIVE.

This is the DENOTATION of the

words inexpensive and cheap.
- Which word has a positive connotation?
- A negative connotation?
 Examples

• When we put money into a chance to

make more money we call it either
INVESTING or GAMBLING.
This is the DENOTATION of the
words gambling and investing.
- Which word has a positive connotation?
- A negative connotation?
 Examples

• When a product has never been on

the market before, we call that either
NEW or UNPROVEN.
This is the DENOTATION
of the words new and
unproven.
Which word has a
positive connotation?
 Examples

• When a teacher or parent talks tough

and serious we can call that either
FIRM or STRICT
This is the DENOTATION of the
words firm and strict.
- Which word has a positive connotation?
- A negative connotation?
 Examples

• When someone is very careful with

their money, we can call them either
MISERLY or THRIFTY.
This is the DENOTATION of the
words thrifty and miserly.
- Which word has a positive connotation?
- A negative connotation?
 Examples

• If someone is buying a car, and they can

choose a USED or PRE-OWNED vehicle,
which has the positive connotation?
 Let’s Practice!
• Remember, a word can have a 
positive or negative connotation.
• Using the words on the next 
slide, match up the positive 
connotation word with its 
negative connotation word.
 Let’s Practice (AP#2)

1. Proper A. Weird
2. Brave B. Outrageous
3. Fascinating C. Smirk
4. Hilarious D. Foolhardy
5. Smile E. Snobby
 Which Has the Positive
Connotation? (AP#3)

1. Which headline would most  
likely find in the Chicago Cub’s 
hometown paper?
a.  Cubs Destroy Cards 5-3
b.  Cards’ Effort Falls Short; 
            Cubs Win 5-3
Which Has the Negative
Connotation?
2. Which newspaper does not favor
the development project?
a. Mall to Destroy 300
Homes
b. Mall to Bring 3,000 Jobs
 What Does The Word
Chicken Mean In These
Titles?
 Class Activity
Word Denotation Positive Connotation Negative Connotation

Chicken Bird; fowl food Afraid, scairdy-cat

Dog Mutt, mongrel
Bold courageous
Curious

Slender scrawny, skinny
Smart intelligent
Pig

Mysterious unique; fascinating

Laugh cackle, maniacal