connotation
- 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.”
- the act of connoting; the suggesting of an additional meaning for a word or expression, apart from its explicit meaning.
- 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.
- 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.
Origin of connotation
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comExamples from the Web for connotation
Contemporary Examples
In case the connotation is lost, “Theater Kid” is not a good thing here.
The Detached connotation: Military occupation also conveys a degree of detachment.
Historical Examples
Why, I should say it means 'skilful, clever,' and it carries with it the connotation of 'novel.'
Riders of the SilencesJohn Frederick
It has kept the connotation of "grace," but lost that of "nobility."
A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1George Saintsbury
The history of the title in this connotation is somewhat obscure.
Here there is no question of atmosphere, of suggestion, of connotation.
Talks on Writing EnglishArlo Bates
At any rate, if the etymology is false, the connotation is true.
A Civil Servant in BurmaHerbert Thirkel White
connotation
- an association or idea suggested by a word or phrase; implication
- the act or fact of connoting
- logic another name for intension (def. 1)
Word Origin and History for connotation
n.
1530s, from Medieval Latin connotationem (nominative connotatio), from connotat-, past participle stem of connotare "signify in addition to the main meaning," a term in logic, literally "to mark along with," from Latin com- "together" (see com-) + notare "to mark" (see note).
A word denotes its primary meaning, its barest adequate definition -- father denotes "one that has begotten." A word connotes the attributes commonly associated with it -- father connotes "male sex, prior existence, greater experience, affection, guidance."
connotation
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.”