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Semantics = meanings
word Dictionary/literal meaning
Eg. There’s a snake.
denotative (a long, thin bodied
animal)

connotative Emotional and imaginative

associations surrounding the
word.
Eg. Be careful, he’s a snake.
(a person who cannot be
trusted) 2
 Identifying Types of
Relationships Between
Words

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 HYPONYMS
 refers to the relationship of words where the
meaning of one form (the hyponym/
subordinate) is included in the meaning of
another word, the hypernym (the superordinate)
 hyponym is a hypernym but not vice-versa, eg.
flowers
(hypernym - superordinate)

daisy orchid rose jasmine

hyponyms 4
 SYNONYMS
 Words or expressions that have the same
meaning in some or all contexts
 The ‘sameness of meaning’ is not
necessarily ‘total sameness’ but rather
similar meanings
 Eg. sofa / couch
hide / conceal
answer / reply
cease / stop
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 ANTONYMS
 words that are opposite in meaning
- 3 sets : complementary, gradable
pairs, relational opposites

 complementary: the assertion of one

quality implies the denial of the other
present vs absent
male vs female
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gradable pairs – can be used in comparative
constructions (answers “how”), eg.
hot vs cold
big vs small
tall vs short

relational opposites – they display symmetry

in their meaning, focus/direction is reversed,
eg. doctor vs patient
over vs under
employer vs employee
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 HOMOPHONES
 refer to words which have the same
pronunciation but differ in meaning
 eg.
threw vs through
rode vs rowed
bare vs bear
sew vs so
flour vs flower
pail vs pale
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