Denotation vs.

Connotation
If you want to discuss the meaning of a word, it helps to know the difference between
denotation and connotation. These two terms are easy to confuse because they
describe related concepts. Additionally, both denotation and connotation stem from the
Latin word notāre, meaning “to note.”

Denotation is generally defined as literal or dictionary meanings of a word in contrast to

its connotative or associated meanings. The denotation of a word or phrase is its explicit
or direct meaning.
The connotation of a word or phrase is the associated or secondary meaning; it can be
something suggested or implied by a word or thing.

For example, the words “home” and “house” have similar denotations or primary
meanings: a home is “a shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or
household,” and a house is “a building in which people live.”
However, for many, these terms carry different associations or secondary meanings,
also known as connotations. Many people would agree that home connotes a sense of
belonging and comfort, whereas house conveys little more than a structure.

The connotation of a word depends on cultural context and personal associations, but
the denotation of a word is its standardized meaning within the English language. One
way to remember the difference between the terms is to take a hint from the prefixes:
con– comes from Latin and means “together; with,” reminding us that the connotation of
a word works with or alongside its more explicit meaning or denotation.

Another example. If you search for the meaning of the word “dove” in a dictionary, you
will see that its meaning is “a type of pigeon, a wild and domesticated bird having a
heavy body and short legs.” In literature, however, you frequently see “dove” used to
mean a symbol of peace.

In literary works, we find it a common practice with writers to deviate from the dictionary
meanings of words to create fresher ideas and images. Such deviations from the literal
meanings are referred to as “figurative language,” or “literary devices,” e.g. metaphors,
similes, personifications, hyperboles, etc. Even in our daily conversation, we diverge
from the dictionary meanings of words, preferring connotative or associated meanings
of words in order to accurately convey our message.

Below is a list of some common deviations from denotative meanings of words that we
experience in our day-to-day life:
Dog – suggests shamelessness or an ugly face.
Dove – suggests peace or gentility.
Home – suggests family, comfort, and security.
Politician – suggests negative connotation of wickedness and insincerity
Pushy – suggests someone is loud-mouthed and irritating.
Mom and Dad – when used instead of “mother and father” suggest loving parents.

Short Examples of Denotation

1. She recognized the lovely aroma of her mother’s cooking. (Smell)

2. Vegetables are an inexpensive (Cheap)
3. Hanna’s interest in interior decoration has turned into her leisure pursuit. (Hobby)
4. Aunt Jolly lives in a hut deep down in the forest. (Cabin)
5. I stopped for brunch at a diner situated in the bay area. (Café)
6. His parents are conservationists. (Environmentalists)
7. My old computer has died. (Venerable)
8. In a stealthy and quiet way, Bob entered into his lawyer’s chambers. (Cautious)
9. The son was somewhat intimidated by father’s assertive (Confident)
10. Ben is an adventurous (Courageous)
11. Emily moved around the shore and stopped to take rest. (Relax)
12. The man is flocking together young sheep. (Lambs)
13. Harry has a pet and keeps it in a cage. (tamed animal)
14. Sara forgot her sweater at home and is cold during her walk. (Chilly)
15. John returns to his home (Family)

Denotation Examples in Literature

Example #1: Mending Wall (By Robert Frost)
“And on a day we meet to walk the line
And set the wall between us once again.
We keep the wall between us as we go.
To each the boulders that have fallen to each.”

In the above lines, the word “wall” is used to suggest a physical boundary, which is its
denotative meaning, but it also implies the idea of an emotional barrier.

Example #7: Fire and Ice (By Robert Frost)

“Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice …
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice …”

In the above lines, the poet has used a number of denotative meanings of words. Here,
“some say” denotes a group of people, and “I know” represents personal experience.
Then “end,” “fire,” “perish,” and “destruction” denote destruction and death.

Function of Denotation
Readers are familiar with denotations of words but denotations are generally restricted
meanings. Writers, therefore, deviate from the denotative meanings of words to create
fresh ideas and images that add deeper levels of meanings to common and ordinary
words. Readers find it convenient to grasp the connotative meanings of words because
of the fact that they are familiar to their literal meanings.
Connotation refers to a meaning that is implied by a word apart from the thing which it
describes explicitly. Words carry cultural and emotional associations or meanings, in
addition to their literal meanings or denotations.

Positive and Negative Connotations

Words may have positive or negative connotations that depend upon the social, cultural,
and personal experiences of individuals. For example, the words childish, childlike and
youthful have the same denotative, but different connotative, meanings. Childish and
childlike have a negative connotation, as they refer to immature behavior of a person.
Whereas, youthful implies that a person is lively and energetic.

Common Connotation Examples

Below are a few connotation examples. Their suggested meanings are shaped by
cultural and emotional associations:

1. “He’s such a dog.” – In this sense, the word dog connotes shamelessness, or
ugliness.
2. “That woman is a dove at heart.” – Here, the dove implies peace or gentility.
3. “There’s no place like home.” – While home may refer to the actual building
someone lives in, connotatively, it most often refers to family, comfort, and
security.
4. “What do you expect from a politician?” – Politician has a negative connotation of
wickedness and insincerity. To imply sincerity, the word statesperson might be
used.
5. “That woman is so pushy!” – Pushy refers to someone who is loud-mouthed,
insisting, and irritating.
6. “My mom and dad worked hard to put me through college.” – The words Mom
and Dad, when used in place of mother and father, connote loving parents, rather
than simply biological parents.

Examples of Connotation in Literature

In literature, it is a common practice among writers to deviate from the literal meanings
of words in order to create novel ideas. Figures of speech frequently employed by
writers are examples of such deviations.

Example #2: The Sun Rising (By John Donne)

Similarly, John Donne says in his poem The Sun Rising says:
“She is all states, and all princes, I.”

This line suggests the speaker’s belief that he and his beloved are wealthier than all the
states, kingdoms, and rulers in the whole world because of their love.

Example #5: Julius Caesar (By William Shakespeare)

Metonymy is another figure of speech that makes use of connotative or suggested
meanings, as it describes a thing by mentioning something else with which it is closely
connected. For example, Mark Anthony, in Act III of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, says:

“Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.”

Here, the word “ear” connotes the idea of people listening to him attentively.

Function of Connotation
In literature, connotation paves way for creativity by using figures of speech like
metaphor, simile, symbolism, and personification. Had writers contented themselves
with only the literal meanings, there would have been no way to compare abstract ideas
to concrete concepts, in order to give readers a better understanding. Therefore,
connotative meanings of words allow writers to add to their works dimensions that are
broader, more vivid, and fresher.