Connotation and Denotation for Kids: Positive, Negative or Neutral (Grade 7 and 8 English)

Hi, I'm Luna from DoodleBeez. Today we are learning about connotation and denotation. Some words have almost the same meaning, but they make us feel very differently. Choosing the right one changes your whole message.

Denotation is the dictionary meaning of a word. Connotation is the feeling or idea that comes with it. Home and house have a similar denotation, a building where people live. But home feels warm and cozy.

Connotations can be positive, negative or neutral. Slim, thin and scrawny all describe a person with little body weight. Slim sounds like a compliment, thin is neutral, and scrawny sounds unkind.

Here is another set. Thrifty, frugal and cheap all describe someone who spends little money. Thrifty sounds wise and careful. Frugal is mostly neutral. Cheap often suggests someone who will not share.

Writers choose words on purpose. Compare these sentences. The curious neighbor asked about our trip. The nosy neighbor asked about our trip. The facts are the same, but curious feels friendly and nosy feels annoying.

To find a connotation, ask yourself three questions. How does this word make me feel? Would I want someone to use it about me? And what word could the writer have chosen instead?

Now it's your turn. Which word is positive and which is negative? Ben is determined. Ben is stubborn. Pause and try. Determined is positive, because it praises his effort. Stubborn is negative, because it suggests he will not listen.

Great job! Remember, denotation is the dictionary meaning and connotation is the feeling a word carries. Choose positive, negative or neutral words on purpose. Practice connotation and denotation in the English Lab at doodlebeez.com. See you next time!