Connotation and Denotation Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.6.5.C

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

There are two common methods used to describe the meaning of a word. Connotation refers to the negative and positive relations that a word may have connected with it. These associations are emotional and often not literal. Denotation is more aligned with the literal definition. This method of description shies away from feelings or emotions of any kind. These worksheets work on the use of connotation and denotation of words.

Connotation and Denotation Worksheets To Print:

Denotation and Connotation -Each pair of phrases includes synonyms with different connotations. Put a + sign on the line next to the one with a positive connotation, and a - on the line next to the one with a negative connotation.

Positive and Negative Connotation - Make each and every word that you see positive. In the first paragraph underline the words that have a positive connotation. In the second paragraph, underline the words that have a negative connotation. If needed, use a dictionary or a thesaurus to help you.

Connotation | Denotation - Denotation is something like a definition and a connotation is how it leaves you feeling.

Feelings and Words - Words can have either positive or negative connotations. Connotation means the ideas or feelings associated with a word.

Connotation: Positive | Neutral | Negative - Fill in appropriate words that have positive, neutral or negative connotations compared to the words supplied.

Expressing Approval or Disapproval - Read each of the sentences. Decide from the connotation of the words used whether the speaker is showing approval (A) or disapproval (D).

Denotation and Connotation - Read the words. Then sort them into the correct category depending on whether they have a positive or negative connotation.

Understanding - Circle the phrase in each pair that has the most positive connotation. They are listed above and below one another.

Chart The Course - Know where and when to use these words. See if you can position these words wisely into new forms of vocabulary.

Fish Out of Water - For each of the following definitions, think of one word with a positive connotation and one word with a negative connotation.

Negative Thoughts - Read each sentence. Circle the word with the negative connotation. There are two choices to choose from.

Think Positive! - Underline the word in each pair that has a positive connotation. Take a particular look at the first problem. The second entry is not capitalized on purpose.

Positive Connotation - Replace each word with a synonym that has a positive connotation. Then write a sentence that uses the synonym correctly.

Where Does It Belong - Categorize the following words as positive, neutral or negative. Use a dictionary to help you if needed.

Positive and Negative Connotations - We switch to Ns and Ps for positives and negatives. There are twenty compiled in this exercise.

What Are Connotations and Denotations?


There are many different ways that a word can be defined in. A word does not have just one definite meaning. There are several ways to use a single word in. Connotations and denotations are two examples of how a word can be defined in different ways. They are two essential methods through which a word is defined and described. Connotations refer to the emotional meaning of the word whereas, denotation means the literal meaning of the word.


Connotations


Connotations are the meanings of the words that are associated with the emotional and imaginative part. Connotations are not literal meanings of words. When we use the connotative meaning, it is something that is not clearly represented in the word. In fact, the connotative meaning is the underlying meaning of the word. An author uses the connotative meaning when he/she wants to depict a deep meaning of something. It can also be used as a metaphor in some cases. The connotative meanings are mostly used in poetry and literature. Expository writing seldom uses the connotative meaning. The connotative meaning could be anything that is commonly associated with the word.


The connotations also include emotions associated with words. A word could either have a positive, a negative or a neutral feeling assigned to it. For example, the word childish has a mocking or negative emotion associated with it. But if we take a synonym of the word childish, youthful, then it will have a positive effect.


Denotations


The denotations are the literal meanings of the word. They do not have any underlying meaning. Denotative meaning is used in the exact same context of the word. It refers to the exact meaning of the dictionary.


Commonly Used Connotations and Denotations


Connotations and denotations are the two basic ways through which the meaning of words is described. Connotations refer to the feelings, either positive or negative, that are associated with a word due to the common practice of its use. On the other hand, denotations are the actual meanings or words. Connotative meanings are a bit tricky in terms of their understanding but can deliver a lot of information about what the writer wants to convey. Denotative meanings are very straightforward meanings of the words, usually found in the dictionaries, and are not very difficult to understand too.


Given below are some of the most commonly used denotations and connotations in the English language:


Commonly Used Connotations


Some of the most commonly used connotations include the following:


- 'He is a snake': Here the word snake refers to a human being because he has snake-like qualities, i.e., he is not true to his friend and family and backbites, etc.
- 'She is our tigress': Here the word tigress refers to a woman who is bold, strong, and brave and not a woman who has four legs and other physical features as those of a tiger.
- 'They are simply playing the politics': Here playing politics denoted something negative and shady because most of the politicians have the same qualities.


Commonly Used Denotations


Denotations are the dictionary meanings of any word but somehow get misused to mean something else. Following are some of the most confusing denotations in the English language along with their meanings:


- 'She has a gay behavior': Here the word gay refers to having a lighthearted and carefree behavior but this word is mostly used under strong negative connotations.
- 'Here is a chic': Chic is a name for a baby bird but is mostly used as a negative term for young girls and women.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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