Denotation and Connotation

Denotation
Denotation is commonly referred to as a word's dictionary meaning. It is a meaning considered separate from any emotional associations a word might have. It is consistent for all who choose the word. Denotatively, a word's meaning is the same for a writer in California as it is for one in Iowa or for one in New York. One problem in denotation is caused by homonyms, words that sound exactly alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings:

hear (to perceive by the ear) versus here (in this place) bored (uninterested) versus board (a long, flat piece of wood) brake (to stop) versus break (to destroy)

Another problem is caused by words similar in sound but with clear denotative differences:

affect (to influence) versus effect (a result) allusion ( a reference to something) versus illusion (a false perception) weather (climate) versus whether (if)

Denotation becomes a problem whenever you have an incomplete understanding of a word. You could have an incomplete meaning which allows you to think a word means something it does not like the difference between the words amount and number. Many students do not realize that they need to make a distinction between items which can only be counted in whole units (number) and items which can be measured without regarding whole units (amount). Cats come only in numbers; flour can be measured in amounts. In other cases, the problem may be caused because you are simply uncertain which spelling goes with which meaning. Affect looks as good as effect when you aren't certain which spelling is correct in a given situation.

Solving Problems in Denotation

To overcome or avoid problems with denotation, you have several tools available: A dictionary is the first resource when questions of meaning arise. Always look up the meaning if you are even the slightest bit unsure of a word. Any collegiate desk dictionary will suffice in most situations, but occasionally, you may have to consult a larger, unabridged dictionary in a library. A thesaurus can be consulted to help you understand what a word means by seeing synonyms (words similar in meaning) to the word in question. A dictionary of synonyms

can be used as well. In addition to listing synonyms, this book also defines the synonyms in groups, giving you a much clearer idea of meaning for each group of similar words. A dictionary of American English usage can also be consulted. This book explains in what situations or contexts specific words can properly be used. It gives examples of sentences using words so you can see exactly how the word's meaning works.

Connotation
Connotation, on the other hand, is the meaning a word gains through associations as it is used. Connotative meanings are emotional. In fact, they are often referred to as the "emotional baggage" a word carries with it. This meaning operates above and beyond a word's denotative meaning. If a word has any connotative meaning, it will be present whether the writer recognizes it or not. For this reason, a writer cannot afford to ignore this meaning. This meaning is also not as consistent as denotative meaning. A person's reactions to words vary with his or her experience. For example, the word tornado may have powerful negative connotations for someone who has been caught in and had his or her home destroyed by one; however, a person who has seen tornadoes only in photographs or on television will have a much less emotional response to the word. Although variations in connotation do occur, more often do share similar connotative meanings for words. In fact, many words have easily discernible connotative value that most people will recognize:

Being assertive has positive connotations, while being pushy has negative connotation. Being famous is certainly positive, while being notorious is quite negative.

These words share similar denotative meanings, but their connotative meanings are distinctly different. Many words are like this. In fact, the same meaning frequently can be expressed through words with positive connotations, negative connotations, or through words considered neutral in connotation: Positive slender steed Neutral thin horse Negative skinny nag

The connotations are usually at least seen as opposites in negative and positive meaning: Positive firm confident pride Neutral inflexible arrogant vanity

Connotation becomes a problem because it is easy choose a word with the correct denotative meaning but with a totally inappropriate connotative meaning, For example, if you are talking with a friend about something he or she purchased at a very low price, you could easily insult him or her by commenting on how cheap the item is. If in your experience the word cheap has always been used to mean inexpensive, you could cause the insult without understanding that the connotative value of cheap is negative because it suggests low quality as well as low cost.

Solving Problems in Connotation

To overcome or solve problems of using inappropriate connotation, your best tools are the same as those that help with denotation:

dictionary thesaurus dictionary of synonyms dictionary of American English usage

Probably the most useful tool among these for problems of connotation is the dictionary of American English usage. Because this book shows the words in appropriate contexts, you should easily be able to see what words create matches between the emotional value of the word and the context in which you intend to use the word. If a usage dictionary were not available, the dictionary of synonyms would be the next most useful tool. Its definitions of the groups of synonyms should help you determine the connotation of specific words. These are, however, not always available, but you could always simply use a regular dictionary and a thesaurus together to answer any connotation question.