connotation
/ˌkɒnəˈteɪʃən/
connotation means A meaning of a word or phrase that is suggested or implied, as opposed to a denotation, or literal meaning. A characteristic of words or phrases, or of the contexts that words and phrases are used in. It carries an Arena rating of 1516, earned across 2 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, connotation ranks #943 of 17,123 for Most Malleable Words, #1,843 of 17,116 for Words That Escaped Their Books, #6,600 of 17,120 for Most Beautiful Words, #8,223 of 17,118 for Most Ponderous Words.
connotation is pronounced /ˌkɒnəˈteɪʃən/.
Why “connotation” is a great word
The additional layer of suggestion, association, or emotional resonance that a word or phrase carries beyond its literal definition. From the Medieval Latin connotātiō, from connotō ('to mark in addition'), from Latin con- ('together, with') + notō ('to note'). Unlike 'denotation' (the stark, primary meaning found in a dictionary) or 'intent' (a speaker’s conscious aim), connotation is the aura of meaning that hovers around language, inseparable from its cultural and personal history. It is the dark, creeping dread that clings to 'dwelling' but not to 'home'; the cheap, synthetic shimmer implied by 'glitter' but absent from 'gleam'; the weary, bureaucratic weight of 'utilize' where 'use' feels light and direct—the silent, communal agreement that gives words their colour and their shadow, and makes pure communication a beautiful, impossible dream.
Etymology
Borrowed from Medieval Latin connotātiō, from connotō (“to mark in addition”), from Latin con- (“together, with”) + notō (“to note”); equivalent to connote + -ation.
noun
- A meaning of a word or phrase that is suggested or implied, as opposed to a denotation, or literal meaning. A characteristic of words or phrases, or of the contexts that words and phrases are used in.e.g.“The word "advisedly" has a connotation of "wisely", although it denotes merely "intentionally" and "deliberately."”
- The attribute or aggregate of attributes connoted by a term, contrasted with denotation.e.g.“The two expressions "the morning star" and "the evening star" have different connotations but the same denotation (i.e. the planet Venus).”
Words closest in meaning
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