Question

FAN FOR FAN/AWARDING MEDALS
Can someone describe the difference between connotative and denotative?!?! I just don't understand..

Answer 1

Good question, and I agree that conceptually, it's a toughy!!

I believe the words connote and denote are essentially synonymous, meaning to "imply" or "suggest".

However, in my own experience (read: OPINION), I tend to view "connote" as having negative implications whereas "denote" does not.

E.g.: I may describe engaging in certain activities as having "evil connotations" or even "evil implications", but I would never say they have "evil denotations"; it just sounds awkward.

But denotation CAN flip either way, too. E.g.: back in the '50s the mark "Made in Japan" denoted pure and utter junk, whereas today it denotes quality.

In the end, I think context is everything when deciding when to use a particular word. And if you can't decide, don't be afraid to throw them both out and use a different word entirely! :-)

Answer 2

@bre4h
I believe these two words are both related to the topic 'connotation and denotation'. Before I explain, let's first differentiate the two.

Denotation is the literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.
Connotation is an idea or feeling which a word invokes for a person in addition to its literal or primary meaning.


A word can be can be considered a denotation, its usage is the literal meaning of the word - as my teacher once said, the dictionary meaning. It's as easy as it sounds.

While a word can be considered a connotation if its meaning is already biased by the speaker. Like for instance, the word 'chick' and 'woman' both possess a connotation and denotation. If the speaker used the word, 'woman' to describe someone, it may possess its literal meaning, an adult human female which is mainly neutral. But for the word 'chick', it somehow bear a negative connotation. Since the words dictionary meaning pertains to a newly hatched bird, the person may feel offended as to being compared to it.

And that's it! i hope this helps you. :)
(Credits to "Oxford Online Dictionary" for the meaning of the words.)