connotation
connotation Lexical Profile
connotation Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An idea, feeling, or emotional association that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning.
"The word "thrift" has a positive connotation of carefulness, whereas "stinginess" carries a negative one."
In logic and philosophy, the set of essential attributes or qualities that constitute the meaning of a term and determine which objects it can be applied to.
"In classical logic, increasing the connotation of a term narrows its range of concrete examples."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Connotation" is frequently contrasted with "denotation": while denotation refers to the literal, explicit dictionary definition of a word, connotation refers to the emotional, cultural, or implied associations that the word carries.
• Rhymes for connotation
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 16th century from Medieval Latin connotatio, from connotare ("to mark in addition" or "to signify secondarily"), formed from com- ("together, with") and notare ("to mark" or "to note").