Connotation

For the more specialised meaning of "Connotation" in semiotics, see connotation (semiotics).

Definition

A subjective cultural and/or emotional coloration in addition to the explicit or denoted meaning of any specific word or phrase in a language.

Usage

Within contemporary society, connotation branches into a culmination of different meanings. These could include the contrast of a word or phrase with its primary, literal meaning (known as a denotation), with what that word or phrase specifically denotes. The connation essesentially relates to how anything may be associated with a word or phrase, for example, an implied value judgement or feelings.

A stubborn person may be described as being either strong-willed or pig-headed. Although these have the same literal meaning (i.e. stubborn), strong-willed connotes admiration for someone's convictions, while pig-headed connotes frustration in dealing with someone. Likewise, used car and previously owned car have the same literal meaning, but many dealerships prefer the latter, since it is thought to have fewer negative connotations.
It is often useful to avoid words with strong connotations (especially disparaging ones) when striving to achieve a neutral point of view. A desire for more positive connotations, or fewer negative ones, is one of the main reasons for using euphemisms.Note that not all theories of linguistic meaning honor the distinction between literal meaning and (this kind of) connotation. (See Literal and figurative language.)

Logic

In logic and in some branches of semantics, connotation is more or less synonymous with intension. Connotation is often contrasted with denotation, which is more or less synonymous with extension. A word's denotation is the collection of things it refers to; its connotation is what it implied about the things it is used to refer to. So, the denotation of dog is just the collection of all the dogs that exist. The connotation of dog is (something like) four-legged canine carnivore. Alternatively, the connotation of the word may be thought of as the set of all its possible referents (as opposed to merely the actual ones). So saying "You are a dog" would imply that you were ugly or aggressive rather than stating that you were canine.

Notes

References

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072407093/student_view0/chapter7/glossary.html

External links

Connotations of problem solving
myCONNOTATION.org, the first subjective dictionary and collaborative word connotation database

Logic | Semantics