Word: connote (verb)

Associations

"Connote" means to suggest or imply something beyond the basic or literal meaning of a word or phrase. It is about the feelings, ideas, or associations that a word brings to mind, not just its dictionary definition.

• Example 1: The word "home" connotes warmth and safety, not just a building.
• Example 2: Red often connotes danger or passion in different cultures.
• Example 3: When you say "cheap," it connotes low quality, not just low price.

Synonym: "Imply" is similar but more about suggesting something indirectly. "Connote" is specifically about the extra meanings or feelings a word carries.

Substitution

Instead of "connote," you could say:

• "suggest"
• "imply"
• "mean" But "connote" is best when talking about the emotional or cultural meanings behind words.

Deconstruction

• Prefix: "con-" means "with" or "together."
• Root: "note" comes from Latin "notare," meaning "to mark" or "to note." So "connote" literally means "to mark with" or "to signify something along with the main meaning."

Inquiry

• Can you think of a word that has a positive connotation and one that has a negative connotation?
• How does knowing the connotations of words help you understand literature or everyday conversations better?
• Have you ever misunderstood someone because you didn’t know the connotation of a word they used?