This week we are continuing to read Chapter 2 and making connections between the text and our every day lives.
Two key definitions that Mayfield introduces us to are "Denotation and Connotation."
Denotation refers to the literal meaning of the word and connotation refers to the suggestion of a word. It's easy to understand denotation as you are understanding the word based on it's standard definition--one that has be accepted as a societal truth (it's in the dictionary).
The connotation of a word is a little more challenging because it's subjective. By that I mean, it's based on the emotional response or association one makes to a word. For example, a sexual innuendo is usually a suggestion with sexual or physical implications, but it's based on how well the receiver of the message understands the meaning. Think about it, if you don't understand the meaning of a word, can you really understand what's being asked of you?
In your text, on pages 56, Mayfield provides an example using the word snake examining it's negative connotations.
What kinds of words can you think of where the denotation and connotation are very different? In this post provide examples of all the words that you can think of. If you can't think of any on your own. Do a little research. What does the Internet suggest? Try dictionary.com or "Google" it.
What types of words can you think of where connotation and denotation are interchanged?
This response is due by Wednesday.
84 comments:
The words I can think of where connotation and denotation are interchanged are adequate, excuse, new, cool. With the word adequate, the denotation of this word, or its literal meaning is as much or as good as necessary for some requirement or purpose, fully sufficient, suitable, or fit. For example: this car is adequate to our needs. But for many people the word adequate carry negative connotation is barely sufficient or suitable. For example: Being adequate is not good enough. With the word excuse, the denotation of this word, or its literal meaning is to offer an apology for, seek to remove the blame of. For example: He excused his absence by saying that he was ill. But for many people the word excuse carry negative connotation is weak reason. For example: His excuse for being late was unacceptable. With the word new, the denotation of this word, or its literal meaning is recent origin, production, purchase. For example: I have a new car. The word new also carry positive connotation is better, improved. For example: Jack have a new idea for his project. With the word cool, the denotation of this word, or its literal meaning is moderately cold; neither warm nor cold. For example: Is it cool at outside? The word cool also carry positive connotation is permitting such a sensation. For example: you have a cool T-shirt. Not excited; calm; composed; under control. For example: he is so cool after many disaster happen to him.
Biliography
http://dictionary.reference.com/
http://www.virtualsalt.com/think/semant2.htm
The words I can think of where connotation and denotation are interchanged are adequate, excuse, new and cool. With the word adequate, the denotation of this word, or its literal meaning is as much or as good as necessary for some requirement or purpose, fully sufficient, suitable, or fit. For example: this car is adequate to our needs. But for many people the word adequate carry negative connotation is barely sufficient or suitable. For example: Being adequate is not good enough. With the word excuse, the denotation of this word, or its literal meaning is to offer an apology for, seek to remove the blame of. For example: He excused his absence by saying that he was ill. But for many people the word excuse carry negative connotation is weak reason. For example: His excuse for being late was unacceptable. With the word new, the denotation of this word, or its literal meaning is recent origin, production, purchase. For example: I have a new car. The word new also carry positive connotation is better, improved. For example: Jack have a new idea for his project. With the word cool, the denotation of this word, or its literal meaning is moderately cold; neither warm nor cold. For example: Is it cool at outside? The word cool also carry positive connotation is permitting such a sensation. For example: you have a cool T-shirt. Not excited; calm; composed; under control. For example: he is so cool after many disaster happen to him.
Biliography
http://dictionary.reference.com/
http://www.virtualsalt.com/think/semant2.htm
Mole- a pigmented spot or mark on the human body. If one refers to a person as a mole however, most likely he or she would be implying that this person is possibly untrustworthy.
Green- A color. Green could also refer to the planet, money and wealth, power, climate control, etc.
In the following case, the two are very similar.
A leech- a bloodsucking freshwater worm. If someone is called a leech, it is probably because that person clings on (like a leech) for some sort of advantage or gain.
Slim referring to how slender something or somebody is but if we're trying to give somebody a compliment we have to make sure the connotation is right.
Fungus is a term donoting a certain kind of natural growth. It can also mean disease and ugliness.
Greasy is fluid that car engines need. It also contains a negative attachment for most people whether its about food or people.
Based on the reading in Chapter 2, the connotation of a word means that a word which is actually defined in the dictionaries is not what people can think of. The connotation of a word implies another acceptable meaning, and the meaning can be positive or negative. One of the clear examples can be found from the page 56 in our text. The author, Mayfield provides a snake example to examine its negative connotations. In dictionaries, a snake is defined as a reptile that does not have legs. However, the word “snake” can also be carried different meanings such as slimy or evil. As a result, the word “snake” can be used to describe a person who is slimy, and it also can be used to describe a person’s bad behavior.
For me, there are two examples.
First, for denotation, the word “home” in the dictionary means that a place where people live. However, for connotation, the word “home” can be used to describe a place of security, comfort, or family. If a person says “There is no place like home,” that person is not referring to its denotation, the actual meaning from the dictionary, but the emotions “home” evokes for her and most people.
Second, for denotation, the word "dog" has the meaning of "a four legged mammal." For connotation, the word “dog” can be used to describe a person, usually male, who is foul character.
Let’s consider this example. Someone uses a word “slim” to describe the person who is fat. The word “slim” in denotation means “thin”, but the “slim” in connotation means the person is really fat. Therefore, this example explains how the connotation and denotation are interchanged.
Thanks,
Ms Wanzo
Fox- any of several carnivores of the dog family. Many people said the cunning or crafty person as fox.
Stone-the hard substance, formed of mineral matter, of which rocks consist. The people didn't open their mind.
Child- the synonyms is youngster, kid, brat, urchin.
The words I can think of where connotation and denotation are interchanged are adequate, excuse, new and cool. With the word adequate, the denotation of this word, or its literal meaning is as much or as good as necessary for some requirement or purpose, fully sufficient, suitable, or fit. For example: this car is adequate to our needs. But for many people the word adequate carry negative connotation is barely sufficient or suitable. For example: Being adequate is not good enough. With the word excuse, the denotation of this word is to offer an apology for, seek to remove the blame of. For example: He excused his absence by saying that he was ill. But for many people the word excuse carry negative connotation is weak reason. For example: His excuse for being late was unacceptable. With the word new, the denotation of this word, or its literal meaning is recent origin, production, purchase. For example: I have a new car. The word new also carry positive connotation is better, improved. For example: Jack have a new idea for his project. With the word cool, the denotation of this word is moderately cold; neither warm nor cold. For example: Is it cool at outside? The word cool also carry positive connotation is permitting such a sensation. For example: you have a cool T-shirt. Not excited; calm; composed; under control. For example: he is so cool after many disaster happen to him.
Hi Andrew!
I like your word of "dog" and "slim" on connotation definition. I feel interested in the meaning of those word on connotation, and I'm glad to know about those word.
The examples of denotation and connotation I got off the internet that are different:
Alien- It can mean a person from a foreign country or an extraterrestrial creature.
Rose- It is a flower but it can also represent love.
Heart- it pumps blood for your body it can also represent love
Chicken- a type of bird but it can also mean you are scared to do something out of fear.
Hollywood is an area in Los Angeles but also represents glamor and celebrities
Chick is a baby bird but it also used to call a young girl or women
Player- someone who plays in sports but it also means someone who dates more than one woman
Examples of denotation and connotation I got off the internet that are the similar:
Adequate: The denotation is good enough and the connotation is not very good.
Hello Cameron,
Your responses are very good. Mole is an especially great example. I actually thought of mole--the Spanish word or sauce or spread as in guacamole. It can also be the animal mole.
How often do you use conotative language? How do you use it? Amongst friends, family, how?
Hello Andrew,
Your response is great. I'm glad that you referred back to the text to help you out with denotation and conotation. Your example of home is good. How effective would your connotations be if your audience does not understand the context? How would you as a writer make sure the meaning is clear to the audience?
Hello Kailin,
Fox can also be used when referring to men or (especially) women. It's a term used primarily in the 70's. It's derivative is "Foxy." In this sense, what could fox mean?
The denotation refers to the most basic or specific meaning of a word. In contrast, a connotation is an idea that is suggested by or associated with a word.
Examples:
Green: Denotation would be the color that many people like to use or wear. Connotation is refer to money and power.
Fat: Denotation is a person being large or food being greasy. Connotation is someone or something being beautiful.
Heart: Denotation is the color of the heart which is red. Connotation is a symbol of passion, love and affection.
Cross: Denotation is a brown cross. Connotation is a symbol of Christianity.
Snake: Denotation is a reptile. Connotation is someone who cannot be trusted.
Dog: Denotation is a four legged animanl. Connotation is someone dating more than one person.
Rat: Denotation is a small rodent. Connotation is someone who look like they smell for days and never took a bath.
Dope: Denotation would be narcotics. Connotation is something looking nice.
Fruity:Denotation is the flavor of a fruit. Connotation is someone being gay.
Hi Jessica Vigil I like how you use the word Fungus as an example. You show me how it can be use as denotation and connotation.
If my audience does not understand the context, I will explain that to him/her again in detail.
For example from Jennifer, she gave an example in a word "Heart". The connotation is a symbol of passion, love and affection. If someone asks me what this means, "You have heart to your girlfriend," I will tell him/her that heart means love.
I think that is a clear and organized answer for everyone to understand, right?
As a writer, it's important to be aware of a word's connotations when writing because the words contain unstated meanings. The word can work with or against your intentions.
For me, I may avoid using these word in writing since clear understanding is the key in success of writing.
Thanks,
Ms. Wanzo
Hi Jennifer,
I agree what you said in the denotation meaning. However, I do not quite understand what you said about the meaning of connotation.
As I know, the connotation of a word implies another acceptable meaning, and the meaning can be positive or negative.
Are you telling about the same idea?
Furthermore, I really enjoy reading your well-organized, simple, and funny examples such as Green, Fat, Heart and Cross. Nice!
Besides this, I would like to ask you a same problem which is asked by Ms. Wanzo
"How would you as a writer make sure the meaning is clear to the audience?" This question seems unclear to me.
Thanks.
When asked by the instructor to provide examples of connotation, and denotation, I had no clue on what these two words meant. However, after doing some research, I finally was able to embrace the words. Here are a few examples which I have found. Fresh- something that’s not stale, like an apple that has just been picked from a tree and this would be under denotation. The connotation would be something that looks good. Time- A hour, day, that’s indicated on a clock, or watch, and this is denotation, and for connotation, it associates itself with “he knows what time it is” (knowing wrong from right).
Indeed, these two words are interchanged. However, when carrying a conversation and the vocabulary that it used is defined correctly; the connotations become lost and forgotten. Can you imagine the look on your instructor’s face after assisting you with a problem you had, and saying that was “Dope”!
Francisco Santos
To Ms. Wanzo-
Thank you! I was actually wondering which definition to use as I looked over the word "Mole"... there are several listed in the dictionary.
It never occurred to me until I read this blog, but I actually do use connotative language quite often. The situations I will use it in range from be clever at work, with family and friends, to even recently, using it to accuse someone else I work with. I feel as if it gives you an edge when speaking.
Denotation is the words describe in the dictionary, the actual official definition of a word. While Connotation, use and describes words based on a human’s reaction because connotation derive from an individual viewpoint or bias. The connotation of the word can be positive or negative.
Here some examples:
Green: In denotation would define a color, or in terms of being unripe or inexperienced. The purpose or a cause, like the Green Party and their objective is to help resolve both social and ecological problems. Helping the ecosystem mean being green, and that is the connotation of the word in the positive section.
Clip: In denotation can be define as something to hold together, devices that hold together like clippers. That person clipped the other person, with either a gun or a sharp object, the negative connotation of the word.
Down: The denotation of down is define as heading toward a low direction or position, lying or sitting down. The connotation of down is used as a form to express the readiness of excitement in sort of activity or entertainment. Referring to a certain location to a party is positive. The negative reaction is use to taunt the person to defeat, or being defeated.
Maggot: The definition of maggot defines as a wormlike fly larva. However people sometimes using this word towards other people who are likely below them in age, or rank to insult and intimidate. Mostly you might hear this word use in movies involving the military when the sergeant is giving the new recruits the discipline. A Negative connotation when use.
There are many different words that have a different denotation and connotation, ones that I could think of are pig, blue, fox, chicken, key, and mug.
Pig - Denotation is a hog
Connotation can be someone who is greedy, dirty, who eats a lot, someone who is perverted,
or someone who is a policeman. A word similar to this is when someone is called a hog because they are greedy.
Blue - Denotation color that is between green and violet in the spectrum
Connotation- blue is feeling of sadness. "My dog just died, I'm feeling blue."
Fox - Denotation is a wild animal from the wolf family
Connotation - someone who is good looking. "He was good with the ladies because he was a fox."
Chicken -Denotation is a young domestic foul.
Connotation is someone who lacks courage. "In the movie 'Back to the Future', whenever Marty McFly is asked if he is a chicken, he becomes insulted and tries to prove them wrong."
Key - Denotation is a device used to open locks
Connotation for key can be used metaphorically, "key to my heart", or key word (important word).
Mug - Denotation is a cup with handle
Connotation can be a face (ugly "mug"), mug shot from a police picture, or to be mugged (when someone robs you).
To Michael Huynh: I liked your choice of words and they way you defined them was very comprehensive. I also liked that you noted if the word has a negative connotation when you use it. I also thought of using the word down, but I decided not to use it because I was unsure of its connotation, thank you for helping me understand. You said that the word maggot is used in movies with the military, can you name some examples?
Sorry, I meant to type "I liked your choice of words and the way you defined them was very comprehensive."
Hi Ms. Wanzo! Yes, I missed this point. In this case, fox means slut, the woman who tempt the man, and destroy his family.
Hi Jennifer! I think cross also means hospital. Dog also can defined as toady.
Basically a word that has two meaning?
A word I can think of is pigs. It's an animal that we eat(pork), and also can be kept as pets. Or a fat animal that like to roll in mud and have a lot of flies around them. Another way to descrive pigs are police officers.
In my research of denotation and connotation words on the internet I discover that there's a different ways of implementing a way of using words. For example "rose", it's denotation is a flower and the connotation is love. Another example would be saying the pan is hot, hot meaning there's heat and warm. Cool can also be a denotation and connotation. For example "Those are cool sun glasses" cool as in hip and slang.
I think your example of denotation and connotation is really straight to the point. If I had not did my research on denotation and connotation and I read yours, I would understand it in an instant. Good choice of example.
We always meet some word that’ s denotation and connotation are totally different. If we do not understand, we get confused. We have to make sure the denotation and connotation are correct. There are three examples that we hear often.
Honey- a sweet yellowish or brownish viscid fluid produced by various bees from the nectar of flowers and used as food or flavor. Also, most of the people use “honey” when speaking to someone they love.
Banana- a long tropical fruit, with yellow skin and soft inside. Sometimes we use “banana” to describe the Asians people ( Japanese, Chinese, Korean). Since they have lived in the United States for their whole lives and learned all the American culture, they act and think as same as the white people (the inside of the banana), but they look like Asians (the yellow outside of the banana).as a result, some people call them “ banana”. In addition, I just know that some people use the word “banana” to descride the people who are crazy, mad or silly.
Cap- a soft flat hat with a curved part sticking out at the front worn. In the western country, they use the word “ cap” to descride police officer because they always wear the cap.
The words I've chosen are:
Rat- It is a long tale rodent but people use it when someone tells or snitch.
Cold- It describes the weather in which it is low temperature but it can mean a type of sickness as it is the common cold.
Sweet- Means pleasing to the taste but it can mean that you are nice or kind to someone.
Cool:
Denotation: Low in temperature, but not cold, often in a way that feels nicer.
Connotation: Cool can have several implied meaning based on the way we use it, for instance if I say “let’s go get a drink” and my friend replies “cool” then here cool means great idea!
Also another example is when we say “someone is a cool” person, here what we mean by cool really depends on the view of the person defining it; if the conversation is between two teenagers who think partying all the time and using drugs is a good thing to do then perhaps by saying someone is cool they mean she is acting based on their values of “coolness” i.e. using drugs…
Honey:
Denotation: A sweet sticky substance produced by bees, used as food.
Connotation: Darling, dear, my love…
Sweet:
Denotation: Having a taste like sugar.
Connotation: Great, Awesome, Nice, Kind (in case of Sweet Heart)
*Denotations or literal meanings were all taken from the Longman dictionary.
To Jennifer Cornelius:
WOW Jennifer I have never heard that Fat means Beautiful! I really learned something. When people use it exactly? How you should distinguish whether it is a compliment or an assault?
Ham:
Denotation: a cut of meat from the heavy-muscled part of a hog's rear quarter, between hip and hock, usually cured.
Connotation: an actor or performer who overacts.
Fish:
Denotation: any of various cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates, having gills, commonly fins, and typically an elongated body covered with scales.
Connotation: a stupid and inept person.
Turkey:
Denotation: a large, gallinaceous bird of the family Meleagrididae, especially Meleagris gallopavo, of America, that typically has green, reddish-brown, and yellowish-brown plumage of a metallic luster and that is domesticated in most parts of the world.
Connotation:
A person or thing of little appeal; dud; loser.
A naive, stupid, or inept person.
A poor and unsuccessful theatrical production; flop.
*All from dictionary.com
To Caresse Fong:
"Adequate: The denotation is good enough and the connotation is not very good."
It surprises me. I wonder how to distinguish whether "adequate" means in connotation or in denotation.
All words have denotation and connotation. Denotation refers to the literal meaning of the words that can be look up in the dictionary. In contrast, connotation is more complicated, it has different meaning from the dictionary. (Suggest meaning). Denotation and connotation can be classified to positive, neutral, and negative expressions.
Some example of denotation and connotation:
1. Blue: the word blue in the dictionary define as a color intermediate between green and violet. However, the word blue can be defined as a feeling. “Are you feeling blue today?”
2. Gay: the definition of the word gay in the dictionary is happily excited or bright and showy. The other meaning of the word gay can be referring to homosexual.
3. Maybe: denotation is possibility, but it also carries a negative connotation that leads to uncertainty.
4. Home: the denotation of the word home is simply a name of structure or the place where we live. But the word has connotation of comfortable, a nation, and a warm or loving place.
5. The word innocence in the dictionary is “freedom form guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil’, but the connotation of the word innocence is often associated with lack of knowledge, understanding or experience.
To Simin Liang
I got that exaample off a website. I think adequete is both a connotation and denotation. The definiton is similar to each other. I hope that helps.
Caresse
Clean - free from dirt; unsoiled; unstained can also be use to describe a person or object as being fresh, nice, glamorous in a compliment way.
cotton - a soft, white, downy substance consisting of the hairs or fibers attached to the seeds of plants used in making fabrics can also used to define a person being intimidate, timid, fearful etc.
owned - of, pertaining to, or belonging to oneself or itself can also use to describe a person or object as being overtaken by victory/accomplishment.
Hi Jennifer, It's interesting how you describe rat to your example.
Rat: Denotation is a small rodent. Connotation is someone who look like they smell for days and never took a bath.
Usually when I see someone used the term "rat", I would think they are describing that person as being sneaky and dirty doing something unfaithful behind another person back. It does make sense to me how you would use rat an a denotation referring to someone who haven't took a bath though.
Nice examples.
Rose:
Any of a genus of shrubs or vines having prickly stems and variously colored often fragant flowers.
Connotation- symbol of love and passion.
Home: A place where ones lives.
connotation:comfortable, a nation, and a warm or loving place.
Crazy:Mentally unbalanced, insane.
connotation: A person who is eccentric.
Hi Xiao. I like your examples of dennotation and connotation. They are clear. i like the exmapel you give about the word gay that in the dictionary is happily excited and the connotation people give to this word (homosexual).
Hi Carmella, I am glad that you like my choice of word I am sorry I cannot really find good examples to support my connotation. I believe that was said out of my own observation. I remember hearing it from somewhere on television, around the media. The sergeants will discipline the new recruits or indiscipline soldiers in harsh manner. They would say, "You listen to me you maggot", The word maggot is pretty much use in terms to look down on people who are below of them. The show called Supernatural, Angel portrayed by humans in their reality angels are gigantic beings, they see human as maggots because they see themselves small and below so when a human mainly the protagonist go against them they would insult them with the word maggot. I hope this make sense.
Words whose denotation and connotation are very different are:
Vegetable – Denotation is an edible part of a plant, such as peas, cabbage, potatoes. Connotation is when a person is passive or in a coma.
Cock – Denotation is a male chicken or rooster. Connotation is a penis.
Special – Denotation is being unique or valued. Connotation is a mentally disabled person, or an insult or joke that someone stupid.
Dumb – Denotation is lacking or having the inability to speak. Connotation is being stupid, or lacking intelligence and good judgment.
Nail – Denotation (using it as a verb) is to fasten something with nail to hold it down. Connotation is to secure something or someone down. It can also mean doing something well: “I nailed the test.”
Words whose denotation and connotation are interchanged:
Flow – Denotation is to move along in a stream. Connotation can be the same. For example, “Does this sentence flow with the paragraph?”
I like your example of chick. It reminded me of whe My friend’s brother went to Ohio. He asked his older cousin “Are there are a lot of hot white chicks here.” The little cousin who was there responded “Oh! I have two white chicks in my backyard”. My friend’s brother was confused. The older cousin laughed and explained that he had two little white chickens.
It's funny how sometimes we forget the meaning of the literal meaning sometimes
The above post was to Caresse Fong.
Hi Simin, I think your examples of denotation and connotation is very interesting. I like the example that you give about the word fish. When I hear the word fish, the first idea that comes up in my mind is fish is an aquatic vertebrates animal. I never know that the connotation of the word fish refers to a stupid and inept person.
Stone- Rock: a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter.
-Sometimes people use this term for jewelry such as diamonds and pearls.
Fish- Any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills.
-Someone who is slick and doesn't get caught.
Cool- Neither warm nor very cold.
-Someone who attracts people attention. Or is popular.
Hi Paul,
Based on your post above, are you talking about the connotation meaning for every examples?
What is your opinion about denotation and connotation? Would you like to share more about them. I want to check my concept.
Thanks.
Dany Kheav
Denotation:
Chicken: The young of this bird, breeds for its flesh, eggs, and feathers.
Connotation:
- I hear this word mostly use towards guys to other guys. To tease someone by calling them a "chicken" refers that they are scared of doing that's asked.
Denotation:
Down: From higher to lower.
Connotation:
- But it also can be use as a word
to describe a feeling. When you sad or mad, you can also say that your down.
Denotation:
Sweet: Taste or flavor characteristic of sugar, honey.
Connotation:
-Also can mean when your boyfriend sent you a romantic text and makes you smile. You can also refer that he's sweet.
Dany Kheav to Simin Liang
"Fish:
Denotation: any of various cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates, having gills, commonly fins, and typically an elongated body covered with scales.
Connotation: a stupid and inept person."
Your connotation for fish is a new one for me. I've never heard anyone use that phase. Where did you hear the phase?
Hello Andrew, I liked how you used the word dog as a connotation and denotation very creative.
Jessica Alvarez
White- A color
White-purity, innocence and simplicity.
Vehicle- that someone drives.
Vehicle-a medium of communication, expression or display
Hello phu (tony)
The examples that you gave out were really great. Since we are clean and us cotton every day. The fact that we owned are lives is something that we all have in common.
Jessica Alvarez
First of all, the biggest difference between them is Connotation carries implication, while denotation does not. This implication is subjective cultural and emotional, and it can be negative and positive. Contrastively, denotation directly refers to the literal meaning of the word, and it’s objective and neutral. That’s to say, denotation just describes what a “thing” looks like to us, nothing else we can see but this kind of neutral meanings. After all, I think that Connotation is an expansion of Denotation, and it’s changeable.
Examples:
1. Blood: The denotation of this word is defined as fluid that work in vascular system of human beings and other vertebrates, but its connotation refers to murder. For example, sometimes we use “You have blood on your hands” to say someone has killed another.
2. White: It’s a color in denotation definition. In contrast, it refers to purity, innocence, simplicity, beauty and peace in Connotation’s.
3. Scrawny: Its denotation is an adjective used to describe “Thin things.” But its connotation carries the meaning “Ugly,” which is negative.
4. Excuse: This word in dictionary is defined as an explanation to defend some fault or mistakes, while its connotation refers to weak reason. A person making an excuse means his explanation is not persuasive.
Hey Mei, such great examples between connotation and denotation, you express the denotations in terms of their definition and using the connotation in our ideas and response but also become relative to the meaning. Like the word home is defines as a structural place we live in, but in the connotation of home refers to anyplace that is comfortable to us. Like the country we live in or used to live in considers our home.
You good examples help me come up with another word, "Rock". The denotation is defined as a relatively hard, naturally formed mineral or petrified matter; stone. The connotation of rocking hard, in music, places. For example “let’s rock baby!” or “rock the boat”, something affiliated with moving back and forth rhythmically gently or violently. Thanks Mei!
Jaguar
Denotation: a large spotted feline, having a tawny coat with black rosettes
Connotation: Power, Strength
White:
Denotation: a color
Connotation: white-purity, innocence, simplicity, beauty and peace
Elephant
Denotation: large mammal
Connotation: memory Republicans
Granola
Denotation: type of food (nuts, grains)
Connotation: health nature-lover
Reproach
Denotation: To upbraid, reprove, or rebuke (a person); to revile, abuse.
Connotation: To chastise or scold.
To David Nguyen,
Thanks for the response. That is a funny story. I like your example of vegetable. I did not know that another meaning to vegetable was a person in a coma.
Caresse
The examples of denotation and connotation are found from the internet and their meanings are different:
Dragon: a mythical monster generally represented as a huge, winged reptile. Dragon refers to a fierce, violent person or a very watchful and strict woman.
Butterfly: an insect. Butterfly refers to be used as symbol for beauty.
Atheist: a person who disbelieves in or denies the existence of gods. Atheist has connotation of someone who is immoral and wicked.
Thanks!
Hi Jennifer Cornelius:
The way you or organized the connotation, and the denotation were very good. In addition, the words that you thought of were great. I uses some of them in my vocabulary, and some of the words Ive heard. your work has given me a different perspective on this issues. Thank you for your input!!
Francisco Santos
Hi Kimhung
Your examples of connotation are interesting. I didn’t know that banana can be used to describe Asians and crazy people. In addition, your explanation helps me know why people call Asians banana and I really learn things from your post.
Thank you!
Ruiqi Chen
I agree with you blue has emotion of sadness, and many people dislike the feeling of blue. However, there is another meaning from the blue color for me. When I am looking the sky and the ocean, the blue bring me immense feeling that I could release my stress.
Hi Cameron, I really like your response especially the explanation of the word “Mole”. I just learn the connotation of mole from you. It is a good example for our topic.
The first word I thought of is a word that has a extreme difference in connotation and denotation and also brings up the relevance of exploring word etymology.
Fagot: a bundle of sticks, first used in the 14th century.
Faggot: an extremely derogatory term for a male homosexual
A more subtle example of slight difference is this:
While watching the Sirian rally coverage on NPR with my mom I casually said, "we have to pray for their courage." My mom, being proud science loving atheist, looked at me like I asked her to church. I chose pray in the, “hope” sense, but my mom’s interpretation suggested its religious connotation. Change of connotation can be subtle and can heavily affect your listeners perception of your message.
to Phu (Tony) Luong from Annie Steiner
I was skimming through all these words and I liked your word, owned. In high school an obnoxious boy used to always say that in PE after scoring or doing something physically competitive. Word appropriation is strange and funny.
Hi, Carmella Montes
I have learned a lot about denotation and connotation from your clear and detailed examples. Personally speaking, the most interesting one to me is “Fox.” Because in Chinese, the connotation of fox is used to describe a person who is always tricky, so it has negative meaning. Here, in English, as you state, “Fox” refers to someone who is good looking. This is really different, and it sounds like a positive word. I am just wondering, in the example “He was good with the ladies because he was a fox,” is the word “Fox” positive or negative?
Thank you.
For denotation, the word “green” means the color of grass and the leaves of most plants and trees. For connotation in china, it means exorcism; green hats indicate a man's wife is cheating on him.
For denotation, the word “politician” means one who is actively involved in politics, especially party politics or one who holds or seeks a political office. For connotation, “political” makes you feel stressed and it is liked a negative thing.
For denotation, the word “cool” means moderately cold, lacking in warmth. For connotation, it could use to describe a person who is handsome or wearing special clothing.
Hi David, your example of denotation and connotation are very interesting. I really like your example of vegetable. I didn’t know that another meaning of the word vegetable refers to a person in a coma or passive. Thanks David, for providing detail examples of denotation and connotation. I really learn something new today from your post.
Hi Kimhung:
After I read your words of banana, it really captures my attention. I have never known that banana could use to describe Asians. It could also use to describe the people who are craze, mad or silly. I thought bananas are just healthy fruit, but now I knew another meaning. It was interested.
Denotation can be described as the direct definition that we could find in a dictionary. On the other hand, Connotation refers to the implicit meaning of the words and individual’s feeling.
Here are some examples:
Sun
Denotation: The star that shines in the sky during the day and gives the earth heat and light.
Connotation: It symbolizes hope.
Red
Denotation: Red is the color of fire and blood.
Connotation: It represents heat, passion and fertility.
Tiger
Denotation: A large wild animal of the cat family that has yellowish fur with black lines.
Connotation: It symbolizes brave and powerful.
Dog
Denotation: An animal
Connotation: It represents faithful.
The word that connotation and denotation are interchanged is “professional”. Denotation: It connects with a job that needs special training or skill, especially one that needs a high level of education. Its connotation also refers excellence and profession.
Some connotations that I have came across and found through my findings are:
Awesome: Which literally means cool and/or great. On the other hand it also means really, such as exaggerating, like "Oh, that is awesomely big"
Gay: It can mean happy or same sex couple, orientation, or girly.
Bomb: A bomb is a device that blows things up. The connotation meaning of it can mean that something is cool, such as "He da bomb"
Cool: At first cool means chilly, not hot and/or chill. Now, cool is also used as awesome and greatness.
To Michael Huynh,
Green, Clip, Down, Maggot really great connotations! I had to go through the internet to look and then mines came to me. Yours were like everyday words.
Hi Jingrong Ma,
I agree with your explanation of connotation. It is true that connotation refers to subjective culture and emotion. I also like the examples that you provide. Many other colors can have symbolic meanings. We can use different kinds of colors to express our feeling. Meanwhile, I learn that the connotation of “scrawny” carries the meaning “ugly” from your post. Thank you.
Down- Denotation is that it could be used for describing a direction of something. Connotation is that it could be used to describe the action of gulping a drink or losing in gambling.
Yak- Denotation is the meaning of talking. Connotation is that it’s another word for throw up.
Word- Denotation is that it’s a component of a language. Connotation is that some people respond to things with “word” to show they are in agreement with what was said.
Rich- Denotation is that it’s another word for wealthy. Connotation of rich is that it could describe the quality of something.
To Diane,
I thought it was cool that you used came up with “cool” because I say that word all the time but I didn’t even think of it for this assignment. Your example for “bomb” was funny. I use “bomb” to describe the awesomeness of stuff too, such as food. When I eat something super delicious, my reaction is usually something like, “Mm, I just ate some bomb chicken!”
Spring: it's one of 4 seasons in a year and it's also the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length.
Chicken: an animal and also a person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy
Blue: is a color and also is a feeling
English: it's people and also language
The word that connotation and denotation are interchanged is "mistake": wrong, incorrect
Vegetable – Denotation is an edible part of a plant, such as peas, cabbage, potatoes. Connotation is when a person is passive or in a coma.
I like this one. I didn't know about it. Thank you for posting this one because i learned a new thing.
Here are some examples of connotation and denotation I found on the Internet.
Blue- Denotation it’s a color. Connotation describes a mood or the way you’re feeling.
Single- Denotation only one in a number. Connotation describes an unmarried person.
Shades- Denotation a window covering used to keep out the sun. Connotation she has some nice shades referring to sunglasses.
Swing- Denotation changing location by moving back and forth. Connotation you can swing in your relationship or you can have mood swings.
Hi Jessica,
I like your connotation definition about the word greasy, because no one wants to be associated with that word in any way.
After I read chapter 2, the first word that came to my mind is uncle. For denotation, this word means a brother of one’s father or mother. However, for connotation, when somebody saying uncle, the word can also mean that to concede defeat.
Second word came to my mind is rose. For denotation, rose is a red flower with a green stem. For connotation, rose can mean love and passion. Another word that I have is snake. When I go to dictionary.com and check the word snake, it is refer to any of numerous limbless, scaly, elongate reptiles of the suborder Serpents. However, for connotation, it can refer to evil.
Thanks.
Hey Diane, the word awesome, gay, bomb, and cool are really great connotations as well. Yours our like everyday words as well, especially the word awesome and cool. Thanks
Denotation refers to the literal meaning of the word that can be found in the dictionary directly. In contrast, connotation refers to the suggestion of a word that it is more complicated to understand. Connotation has different meaning of a word other than the dictionary. Also, the meaning may have the positive or negative side.
Here are some examples:
Pig
Denotation: An animal.
Connotation: It represents lazy, dirty, and fat.
Black
Denotation: the color at one extreme end of the scale of grays, opposite to white, absorbing all light incident upon it.
Connotation: It symbolizes dark, sad, bad luck, wicked, and vicious.
Water
Denotation: a transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid, a compound of hydrogen and oxygen, H 2 O.
Connotation: It represents healthy, pure, and clean.
The word “Down” has very different meanings. The literal meaning of it is showing the direction or position of the object which is under or below something. And, the connotation meaning, when it is used to a person, is having bad mood. People said they are downing meaning that they are upset and disappointed.
“Snake” is another example. The denotation meaning of “Snake” is a kind of animal. But, the connotation meaning of it is bad and evil. It is probably because Satan is illustrated as a serpent in the bible. Therefore, people think that snake is evil which is the connotation meaning of serpent.
“Lucifer” meant to be an English name. However, some people interpret it in a different way. They note that “Lucifer” is referring to the devil coming from the heaven.
Hi Andrew,
I like that you use the word home as your example. It really gives me the idea of denotation and connotation. Moreover, I found out more examples from the internet that similar to yours, and I would like to share to all. The word home, house, and residence have the same meaning for denotation which is where a person lives, but for connotation, they have different meanings. For home, it means cozy, loving and comfortable. House means the actual building or structure. Residence refers to cold or no feeling.
Thank you.
Hi,
I think your example (Banana) is very interesting. As I am an Asian, I totally understand why you use banana to describe Asian people who have come to the United States for years. Also, I just know that banana can describe the people who are crazy, mad or silly.
Cool is a good example. I use this word all the time but I almost forget the word “cool” doesn’t mean good looking or being outstanding. It is actually meaning cold or windy. I really like this example because it is so related to our daily life.
I am thinking whether the antonym of the word “cool”, which is warm, has the same feature like “cool”. “Warm” is a physical feeling. Literally, it means the temperature is very suitable for a person. However, it could also mean feeling love from the others. When people said they are warm especially when they receive gifts from the others, they mean they are very happy and they can feel the love. Would that be a good example too?
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