Which Of The Following Words Is The Most Connotatively Charged?

Connotative Words: Examples & Pregnant of Connotation (With Quiz)

When you look up a word in the dictionary, y'all will detect its literal, or denotative, pregnant. This is the basic definition of the discussion. Nevertheless, many words — especially nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs — also accept connotative meanings. Discover the emotional side of words by reviewing some connotation examples.

connotative words examples with group of children

Connotative Word Meaning

Connotation refers to a significant suggested or implied past the use of a particular word, beyond its literal (denotative) meaning. Connotation impacts how readers perceive the overall meaning of what a writer or speaker is trying to communicate. Depending on how a discussion has been used over time, or the context in which it is being used, the term may take a positive, negative or neutral connotation.

Connotative vs. Denotative Meanings

To fully understand a word and use it correctly, yous need to know both its denotation (the standard definition) and its connotation (the feelings associated with it).

The denotative pregnant of a word is its official dictionary definition.

A word's connotative pregnant includes shades of meaning, such every bit emotions, associated with the term.

The Importance of Connotation

When choosing words to utilize in linguistic communication, it's of import to consider both types of meaning. This is an of import key to choosing the right words. If yous aren't fully enlightened of a discussion's connotation, you may choose an inappropriate synonym in your writing, which can lead to confusion or even to your reader taking law-breaking.

Instance: Altogether Activity Request

If you say that you want to do something unlike for your birthday this yr, that doesn't convey the same significant every bit if you said you wanted to do something unique. The denotative meanings of "dissimilar" and "unique" are similar (not the same or different). However, the connotative meanings of these two words are not the same.

Different would mean something other than what y'all did last twelvemonth or in previous years.
Unique would imply something highly unusual, such as an activity not normally associated with birthdays or something that you (or most people) have never done earlier

Someone trying to come up upward with a way to celebrate your altogether will probably notice information technology much more challenging to identify a "unique" activity rather than i that is only "different."

Instance: Describing a Group

As another example, consider the words group, clique, club, and gang. All 4 have basically the same denotative meaning: a set of more than i person. Each of these words has a different connotative significant, yet.

Grouping has a neutral connotation. The word simply describes a number of people. Information technology does not inspire either positive or negative feelings.
Clique also means a grouping of people, but information technology carries a negative connotation. This is because "clique" is typically used in circumstances where the group is known for excluding others. This discussion should be used carefully: If you want to be thought of as a welcoming group, the negative connotation of this word will turn people off!
Gang is divers as an organized group, but it has very negative connotations. The use of this term suggests criminal action and/or fierce behavior.
Club also refers to a group of people, merely this discussion has a more positive connotation because a club is a collection of people that voluntarily come together for a shared passion or purpose.

Case: Describing Demeanor

If y'all know someone whose personality style is the opposite of high-strung, information technology'south important to cull an advisable word to describe the person'southward demeanor. Should you lot use relaxed, lackadaisical or easygoing?

Relaxed is a fairly neutral or positive way to describe someone's temperament, but it doesn't imply that the person is this way all the time. Someone could exist relaxed now, but become very agitated or excited at some other time.
Easygoing is also likely to be perceived every bit a positive or natural description. It is more likely to be viewed as a general statement about a person's full general nature rather than a snapshot of a moment in time.
Lackadaisical is never a compliment. Someone who is lackadaisical is relaxed and easygoing, merely that person is also probably careless and disengaged. This term has a negative connotation.

Connotative Words: Examples

To see more examples of how words with similar denotations can accept positive, neutral or negative connotations, refer to the chart below.

Positive Connotation	Neutral Connotation	Negative Connotation
interested	curious	nosy
apply	use	exploit
thrifty	saving	stingy
steadfast	tenacious	stubborn
sated	filled	crammed
mettlesome	confident	conceited
unique	unlike	peculiar
meticulous	selective	picky
vintage	old	bedraggled
elated	happy	manic

Connotative Meaning: Practice Exercises

Now that you're more familiar with connotative words, see how well you do with these fun exercises. The answers are below, so don't expect ahead until you have tried to reply on your ain.

Exercise 1: Finding Words With Negative Connotations

Read the sentences below. Identify the word(s) that have a negative connotation.

Bedford is a gritty neighborhood, but the rent is affordable.
On my flight to Los Angeles, I sat adjacent to this geezer. He was very one-time.
Every morning my neighbour takes his mutt to the park. It always barks loudly when leaving the building.
You need to be pushy when you lot are looking for a job.
Bob is bullheaded sometimes, but he always gets the job done.

Exercise 2: Choose a Word With a Positive Connotation

Cull the word with the most positive connotation to consummate the sentences below.

I dear spending time with my aunt. She has a very (childlike, youthful, kittenish) outlook on life.
I enjoy finding means to make the about of my budget by being (frugal, miserly, inexpensive).
I am (confident, arrogant, egotistical) that I will be selected for a part in the school play.
I realize that you're feeling (nosy, prying, inquisitive), but I'd rather not discuss the matter.
My cousin is very (blathering, jabbering, talkative).

Practise 3: What'southward the Connotation?

For each of the sentences below, determine if the bold word has a positive or negative connotation.

How long have you been dieting? Perchance too long. Y'all expect and then skinny.
I can tell you put a lot of work into your book report. It is extraordinary.
I hope to look like my sister when I grow up. She is absolutely gorgeous.
I know that Eddie and I are the same age, but he is just so juvenile.
It's certainly unusual to use Comic Sans font on a resume.

Answers for Exercise 1: Finding Words With Negative Connotations

The terms with a negative connotation are marked in bold.

Bedford is a gritty neighborhood, but the rent is affordable.
On my flight to Los Angeles, I sat next to this geezer. He was very one-time.
Every morning my neighbor takes his mutt to the park. It always barks loudly when leaving the building.
You need to be pushy when you are looking for a job.
Bob is bullheaded sometimes, simply he ever gets the task done.

Answers for Exercise ii: Choose a Word With a Positive Connotation

Options with the almost positive connotation are marked in assuming.

I beloved spending fourth dimension with my aunt. She has a very (childlike, youthful, childish) outlook on life.
I enjoy finding ways to make the nigh of my budget by being (frugal, miserly, cheap).
I am (confident, arrogant, egotistical) that I will be selected for a part in the school play.
I realize that you're feeling (nosy, prying, inquisitive), merely I'd rather not hash out the matter.
My cousin is very (babbling, talkative, jabbering).

Exercise iii: What'south the Connotation

Answers appear in parentheses later each sentence.

How long have you been dieting? Perchance too long. You wait so skinny. (negative - implies the person has lost besides much weight)
I can tell you put a lot of piece of work into your book report. Information technology is extraordinary. (positive - implies that the results are very practiced)
I hope to expect like my sis when I grow upward. She is absolutely gorgeous. (positive - implies great dazzler)
I know that Eddie and I are the same age, just he is just so juvenile. (negative - implies immature and kittenish)
It's certainly unusual to use Comic Sans font on a resume. (negative - implies that this is a bad idea)

Use Context to Get a Sense of the Discussion

Equally you can encounter, information technology's important to understand the connotation also as the denotation of a give-and-take earlier y'all employ it. Otherwise, you run the risk of picking a discussion that doesn't effectively communicate your intended significant. It takes practice to understand both the connotation and denotation of a new discussion, but it's well worth the effort. The best way to learn a give-and-take's connotation is to review it in actual sentences to go a sense of how it is used. There are many examples of connotation in literature to review. Information technology'southward as well helpful to compare how synonyms are used then you can see which are positive, negative or neutral. These strategies can help prepare you to select the best denotative and connotative words for your purposes.

Source: https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-connotative-words.html

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