The emotional or cultural associations that a word or phrase evokes in addition to its literal meaning.
Here's why:
* Connotation goes beyond the dictionary: It's not just about what a word *means*, but what it *suggests* or *implies*.
* Subjective and culturally influenced: Connotations can vary depending on the individual and their cultural background.
* Can be positive, negative, or neutral: Words can have positive connotations (e.g., "home" evokes warmth and comfort), negative connotations (e.g., "snake" evokes danger and deceit), or neutral connotations (e.g., "table" simply refers to a piece of furniture).
For example:
* Home: The literal meaning is a place of residence. The connotation is warmth, safety, and belonging.
* Cheap: The literal meaning is low in price. The connotation can be negative, suggesting poor quality, or positive, suggesting a good deal.
Contrast with denotation:
Denotation refers to the literal, dictionary definition of a word. It's the objective meaning, free from any emotional or cultural associations.