Connotative Meaning

Connotation examples: connotative words

Connotation is a meaning in addition to the definitional meaning you find in a dictionary. Because of this, it is not always easy to interpret the meaning of a word based on the word's literal meaning alone.

For example, when we use the word 'dinner', there is a range of possible connotations. Aside from the dictionary definition ('a meal'), there are associated meanings that we would claim as connotative meanings:

• For one person, dinner is a time of joy, togetherness, conversation or debate, and laughter.
• For another person, dinner evokes feelings of loneliness, conflict, or silence.
• For a third, it evokes memories of kitchen aromas and certain childhood foods. The word 'dinner' has a range of connotations based on individual experiences.

Here's another example of connotative meaning. If we call someone rich we can use a number of different words: loaded, privileged, wealthy, affluent. These words all have the literal meaning of rich. However, connotative words introduce negative and positive meanings that inform the reader about how an individual views a rich person.

Negative connotation, positive connotation, neutral connotation

There are three types of connotative meanings: positive, negative, and neutral. The classification is based on what kind of response the word generates.

• Positive connotation carries favourable associations.
• Negative connotation carries unfavourable associations.
• Neutral connotation carries neither favourable nor unfavorable associations.

Compare the sentences below and see if you can feel the different tones each connotation provokes:

1. Tom is an extraordinary guy.
2. Tom is an unusual guy.
3. Tom is a weird guy.

If you think extraordinary implies positive emotions, unusual implies a neutral value, and weird gives negative associations, you'd be correct!

Here are some examples of the different types of connotative words:

Connotative meanings are not only classified according to the positive / negative / neutral value a word or phrase has. Instead, there are certain forms of connotative meaning we must look at to understand the many emotional and cultural associations involved in connotative meaning.

Forms of connotative meaning

Forms of connotative meaning were first offered by Dickens, Hervey and Higgins (2016).

Connotative meaning in literature

Writers often use various connotative meanings, such as emphasis, to create multiple layers of meaning in a story. Connotation is found in figurative language which is any word or phrase used that has different meanings from the literal meaning.

Figurative language involves figures of speech such as metaphors, similes, metonymy, and personification. Let's look at some examples of figures of speeches which have non-literal, or connotative meanings, in Literature.

Metaphor

Metaphor directly refers to one thing as another thing to express the similarities between them.

In this poem, the literal meaning of hope is used. However, hope is referred to as a feathered entity that is perched in the human soul and constantly singing. In other words, Dickinson gives the word hope a connotative meaning. The thing then has emotional meaning in addition to its literal meaning.

Simile

Simile compares two things using connecting words such 'as' or 'like' to make the comparisons.

Burns compares the narrator's love to a red rose that is freshly sprung in June and to a beautiful tune being played. Love is described as something beautiful, vivid, and soothing, like a rose. The connecting words 'like' help to add additional and emotional meaning to the red, red roses.

Metonymy

Metonymy refers to a replacement of a thing by the name of something closely associated with it.

This requires some background information. By 1652, Milton had become totally blind. The poem can be interpreted as Milton replacing the word 'sight' with my light. The sonnet reflects how the speaker faces both the physical and psychological challenges brought about by his blindness, for as a writer and translator he depended on his sight. As a poem about faith, how can Milton use his talents to serve God? Can he totally achieve an enlightened path without his sight?

Personification

Personification is the use of human characters to represent abstract ideas, animals, or inanimate things.

In 'Paradise Lost', Milton portrays Nature as if it had human qualities or characteristics. Nature, thunder, and sky are given extra associated meaning because they cannot literally weep about mortal sin. The poem describes Nature as having the human trait of being able to weep. This suggests an emotional association with the image of a weeping nature.

Connotation and denotation

Connotative meaning is the opposite of denotative meaning, but how different are they? What happens if a writer uses denotation instead of connotative meaning to describe a scene? To answer these questions, let's start with the meaning of denotation.

Denotative meaning

Denotative meaning is the literal definition of a word. Unlike connotative meaning, it does not involve cultural or emotional associations to a word or phrase. Because of this, denotative meaning is also often called the literal meaning, explicit meaning, or dictionary definition.

Denotative vs. connotative meaning in writing

Now we know the difference between the two terms, let's use our knowledge for writing purposes!

Let's say we are writing a scene about a man who has just arrived in Hollywood. What do you think about when you hear the word 'Hollywood'?

• Hollywood has a denotative meaning because it is a literal place in Los Angeles.
• Hollywood also has a connotative meaning because we associate the word Hollywood with the film industry.

The man could be returning to Hollywood, his home. Or, he could be an aspiring actor who hopes to 'make-it-big' in Hollywood.

Fig. 2 - The connotative meaning of Hollywood is associated with the film industry.

The connotative meanings a word carries can be different for different people, and we must watch out for implied or extra meanings in literature and everyday language.