what is the difference between connotation and denotation?

Answer 1

The denotation of a word is the descriptive, limiting definition. For example, "chair" may be defined denotatively as a piece of furniture with a back and four legs designed to be sat upon.

The connotation of a word would reveal the speaker's emotional response to the word. For example, if you've been walking all day and you finally get a chance to rest you might see a chair and say "Ah! At last a chair." The word would have a positive connotation. If however, you were walking through a dark room and tripped over a chair, hurting yourself, you might say "Stupid chair!" and the word would have a negative connotation.

I hope that helped.

Answer 2

Denotations are dictionary definitions; whereas, connotations are associations with particular words. Connotations may differ from person to person, depending on their experiences. For example, let's look at the word "dog": Denotative definition: four-legged animal that is part of the canine family (not sure if this is the exact definition, but close enough) Connotative definitions: Dog may be seen as "man's best friend" or "family protector." Or Dog may be seen as "vicious animal." Or, in some countries, dog may be seen as lunch or dinner. See, with the connotative definitions, each person's experience with dog may differ, so they each may have a different associations with the word.

Answer 3

Denotation is the dictionary definition of a word. Connotation includes the 'extras' that people tend to think of when they hear that word.