Connotation
Middle School
Definition
The feelings or associations a word carries beyond its literal definition. For example, "thrifty" and "cheap" have similar meanings but different connotations—one positive, one negative. Understanding connotation helps readers and writers choose words carefully.
Worked examples
"The politician's thrifty spending won praise, but his opponent was called cheap."
Both words mean careful with money, but 'thrifty' feels positive while 'cheap' feels negative.
"The aroma of fresh bread filled the bakery" vs. "The smell of bread filled the bakery."
'Aroma' suggests something pleasant; 'smell' is neutral and could be good or bad.
Common mistakes
- treating 'childish' and 'childlike' as synonyms → 'childish' is negative (immature); 'childlike' is positive (innocent, wonder) Words with similar meanings can have opposite emotional tones.
- thinking connotation is the dictionary definition → connotation is the feeling or association; denotation is the literal definition Connotation goes beyond what the dictionary says to how the word makes people feel.
- assuming all readers feel the same connotation for a word → connotations can vary by culture, region, and personal experience Context and audience shape how strongly positive or negative a word feels.
Where you'll use it next
You'll analyze connotation when interpreting tone and mood in literature, crafting persuasive essays and speeches, and making precise word choices in creative writing to evoke specific emotions in your audience.
See also
Reviewed by Pat Cheng, M.Ed. — StudyPug Curriculum Lead · Last updated June 6, 2026