* Connotation vs. Denotation: A word's denotation is its literal, dictionary definition. Its connotation is the set of associations, emotions, and cultural implications that go beyond the dictionary definition.
* Subtlety of Language: Connotations can be positive, negative, or neutral, and they can vary depending on context, cultural background, and personal experience. For example:
* Home: Denotes a place of residence. But it can connote feelings of comfort, safety, and love, or it could evoke memories of childhood or family.
* Cheap: Denotes low price. But it can connote low quality, or sometimes a sense of cleverness or resourcefulness.
* Figurative Language: Connotations are especially important in figurative language like metaphors and similes, where words are used to create evocative imagery.
Example:
* "He was a snake in the grass." "Snake" has a negative connotation of treachery and deceit, even though it's simply a reptile.
In short, words often have a whole range of connotations, which adds depth and complexity to our communication.