In linguistics , the denotative meaning or signified, denotation, is opposed to the connotative meaning or signified, connotation. Here is a short explanation of Connotation and Denotation with examples.
Connotation and Denotation
Denotation is the literal meaning of a term, which can be defined (and found in the dictionary ).
The connotation is the set of elements of meaning which can be added to this literal meaning (and which may or may not be found in the dictionary).
For example, "car", "automobile" and "ride" have the same denotation, because all these words refer to a car. But they have different connotations: car is the most common term, it is neutral. On the other hand, "automobile" sounds old and technical. "Ride" is slang, and while denoting just a car, signifies much more.
Another example of connotation and denotation: “father”, “dad” and "daddy" all have the same denotation. But in terms of connotation, "father" is the word most used in writing and orally. "Dad" is the same man only on much more personal and familiar terms. "Daddy" has an even more personal connotation.
Antohr example: "cop" and "policeman" have the same denotation, but hardly the same connotation.
Meaning of Context
The same word or symbol may therefore have different connotations depending on the context in which it is used. Thus, the color white connotes purity and marriage for a European, mourning for an Asian. In another example the swastika , if seen by an Indian as a Hindu religious symbol (representing positive energy), for a Westerner evokes Nazism .
The opposition between denotation and connotation maintains complex relationships with the opposition between proper meaning and figurative meaning.