connotation

[kon-uh-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. 1. the associated or secondary meaning of a word or expression in addition to its explicit or primary meaning.

      A possible connotation of “home” is “a place of warmth, comfort, and affection.”

   2. the act of connoting; the suggesting of an additional meaning for a word or expression, apart from its explicit meaning.

   Synonyms: import, implication, undertone

2. something suggested or implied by a word or thing, rather than being explicitly named or described.

   “Religion” has always had a negative connotation for me.

3. Logic.,  the set of attributes constituting the meaning of a term and thus determining the range of objects to which that term may be applied; comprehension; intension.

connotation

/ ˈkɒnəˌteɪtɪv, ˌkɒnəˈteɪʃən, kəˈnəʊtə- /

noun

1. an association or idea suggested by a word or phrase; implication

2. the act or fact of connoting

3. logic another name for intension

connotation

1. The meaning that a word suggests or implies. A connotation includes the emotions or associations that surround a word. For example, the word modern strictly means “belonging to recent times,” but the word's connotations can include such notions as “new, up to date, experimental.”

Other Word Forms

• connotative adjective
• connotive adjective
• connotatively adverb
• connotively adverb
• nonconnotative adjective
• nonconnotatively adverb
• unconnotative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of connotation¹

First recorded 1375–1425, for an earlier sense, 1525–35 for current senses; late Middle English connotacion, from Medieval Latin connotātiōn-, stem of connotātiō “a noting, marking with,” equivalent to connotāt(us) “marked with” (past participle of connotāre “to note in addition to, mark along with”; connote ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Obligation is a recurring theme in this novel, notable because its connotations are almost entirely positive; Andy’s debts have given his life purpose and meaning.

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"We don't necessarily like jewellery because it's a question of power, and that doesn't necessarily have a good connotation in France," Alexandre Leger, head of heritage at French jeweller Maison Vever, said.

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Mothers aren’t expected to be human, nor are they expected to be superhuman, though one can see why mommy bloggers like to use that term for its more positive connotation.

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"I started having a negative connotation doing anything towards him."

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Locals referred to them as Johnnies, a nickname that carries unsavoury connotations.

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Related Words

• meaning 
• overtone 
• significance 
• undertone