Difference between "Connotation" and "Denotation".

 

English is one of the most resourceful language in the world. The language has thousands of lexicons that allow speakers to say one thing in different ways without defacing the intended meaning.

For instance, antonym and synonym allow us to know the differences and similarities between words. It is in this regard that we will look into two words that are connected in terms of meaning. These words are: connotation and denotation.

Some students find it hard to decipher the difference between the two words. As a result of this, they strike them wrongly.

In a simple term, denotation is the primary meaning of a word, while connotation is the secondary meaning of a word or phrase. For instance, the word "red" means a colour- this is denotation. In another sense, "red" represents danger, love or killing- this is connotation.

Another example is "rose". The denotation for rose is "flower", while the connotation is love or peace. In another words, denotation is the literal meaning of a word or phrase, while connotation is another thing a word can mean.

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