Denotation-

Denotation
and

Connotation

What Does This Mean?

• On your notesheet, 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 imaginative 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 can
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 something into
something else, we can 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 something has never been there
before, we can call that either NEW or
UNPROVEN.
This is the DENOTATION of the
words new and unproven.

- Which word has a positive connotation?
- A negative connotation?

Examples

• When someone is very careful with
their money, we can call them either
STINGY 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

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 you be
likely to find in the 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?

Partner Activity

Now, you will work with a partner to discover
more about denotation and connotation in
various words.