connotation

American  

[kon-uh-tey-shuhn] / ˌkɒn əˈteɪ ʃən /

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.

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connotation British  

/ 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

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connotation Cultural  

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.”

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of connotation

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

Explanation

When you're talking about the implied subtext of words rather than their literal meaning, reach for the noun connotation. A political boss might not want to be called "boss" because of the negative connotations. From the Latin com- "with" + notare "to mark," this word is all about reading between the lines. The literal meaning (or denotation) of Wall Street, for instance, is "a street in lower Manhattan that's home to many financial institutions," but the same phrase's connotations may include "wealth," "power," or "greed," depending on your experiences and opinions. A closely related word is implication.

Example Sentences

But Vladimir Yavachev, Christo's nephew and now director for the artists' estate following their deaths, said the barrels were not developed with "any connotation to the oil industry or criticism".

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

While taking on more than $100,000 in debt can have a negative connotation, at the time it may have seemed like a sound financial decision.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 14, 2026

"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.

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025

Many factors can influence whether a person sees uncertainty with a negative connotation.

From Salon • Feb. 22, 2025

"Project Elrond" had taken on a dark connotation throughout the Space Center, veiled in secrecy.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• meaning
• overtone
• significance
• undertone