Positive and negative connotation
key notes:
What is Connotation?
Connotation is the feeling or idea that a word makes you think of, in addition to its dictionary definition (which we call the denotation). Words can have positive, negative, or neutral connotations.
Think of it like this: words have a main meaning (denotation), but they also have a secret meaning (connotation) based on how they make us feel!
| Positive Connotation |
A word with a positive connotation makes you feel good or happy. It has a favorable or approving feeling.
Example:
Brave vs. Foolhardy
- Both words describe someone who isn’t afraid of danger. But ‘brave’ makes you think of someone strong and admirable. That’s positive! A brave person may rescue someone from a fire.
| Negative Connotation |
A word with a negative connotation makes you feel bad or uneasy. It has an unfavorable or disapproving feeling.
Example:
Brave vs. Foolhardy
- ‘Foolhardy’ makes you think of someone reckless and maybe even silly. That’s negative! A foolhardy person may jump off a roof thinking they can fly.
| More Examples! |
| Word: Confident Positive: Assertive, self-assured Negative: Arrogant, conceited | Word: Thin Positive: Slim, slender Negative: Skinny, scrawny |
| Word: Talkative Positive: Conversational, chatty Negative: Gossipy, loudmouthed | Word: Old Positive: Experienced, wise Negative: Ancient, decrepit |
Remember, the connotation of a word depends on the context and how it makes you feel! Think about what feeling the word gives you when you hear it.
| Summary |
Today, we learned about connotation, which is the feeling or idea a word gives you. We learned that words can have positive (good) or negative (bad) connotations, even if they have similar dictionary definitions. Understanding connotation helps us choose the best words to express ourselves!
Let’s practice!
