Name ___________________________________________ Hour __________
Connotation/Denotation Things to Remember: Words can have context-specific connotations that are not always obvious
from their dictionary meaning. For example, the word elderly means “old” but it can only be applied to a person; no matter how old a
house is, it would not be called “elderly.” Similarly, blonde means “yellow” but it refers only to hair and to some kinds of wood; it is
never used to describe other yellow objects. It is important to be aware of this in order to avoid misusing words.
Exercise 1
For most people, 10 of the following words have favorable connotations, and 10 have unfavorable ones. Mark the words
with favorable connotations with an asterisk (*), and underline those that are unfavorable.
1. dessert 11. Monday
2. flu 12. weekend
3. monster 13. T.V.
4. music 14. murder
5. worm 15. war
6. progress 16. daughter
7. jewels 17. debt
8. success 18. traffic
9. gang 19. springtime
10 circus 20. liar
Exercise 2
Categorize the following words as positive, neutral, or negative. If you are not sure, look the word up in a dictionary. The first one is
done for you as an example.
Positive Neutral Negative
1. house, dump, home Home House dump
2. exotic, foreign, strange
3. babble, talk, chat
4. dinner, feast, slop
5. fragrance, stench, smell
6. venerable, old, decrepit
7. sound, tune, noise
8. beast, animal, pet
Exercise 3
Read each of the following sentences. Decide from the context whether the speaker is showing approval or disapproval of the topic.
Then circle the best word to put into the sentence.
1. “The sooner we move out of this (home, dump),” said Jack, “the happier I’ll be.”
2. This cell phone is (expensive, overpriced), but I don’t mind paying extra because it has so many useful features.
3. You’re lucky to have Wilma on your committee. She has lots of (original, crazy) ideas.
4. Boss Reed and his (cronies, employees) have controlled the politics in this city for more than twenty years. I certainly hope the
other party wins this year!
5. It was a beautiful spring day, and the (stench, scent) of apple blossoms filled the whole yard.
6. I hope I don’t have to share an office with Janice. Sandra told me how (curious, nosy) she can be.
7. “I think Fay is an excellent president,” said the principal. “She really knows how to (manage, meddle).”
8. Will you please turn your stereo off? I can’t concentrate with all that (music, noise).
9. I love going camping and getting in touch with nature. The woods are filled with so much (vermin, animal life).
10. What makes Jim such an excellent storyteller is his knack for (invention, lying).
11. Mr. Benton had better watch out for that new assistant of his. He’s a (clever, crafty) one.
12. I have a lot of respect for Jenny’s father. He’s rather (reserved, antisocial) and dignified.
13. My brother can’t stand his mother-in-law. She’s practically a millionaire, but she’s about as (thrifty, miserly) as a person can get.
14. This coffee is very (bitter, strong) – just the way I like it!
15. Can you please ask the new saleswoman not to be so (enthusiastic, pushy)? She is scaring away the customers.
Connotation/Denotation Exercise 1
Directions: Read the given sentence and find the underlined word. Then in the column provided, explain whether the word has a
positive (+), negative (-), or neutral (/) connotation, and explain what other words or phrases are associated with the underlined
word. Examples:
My date was so cheap! He picked me up on a bicycle, took me to McDonalds, and made me pay for my own dinner.
Word +/- Associated Words or Phrases
Cheap - Ungenerous, scrooge, rude
Sally giggled with glee when she discovered her cashmere sweater was on sale. It was so cheap!
Word +/- Associated Words or Phrases
Cheap + Well-priced, a bargain
1. All night, Cesar listened to his girlfriend talk about problems she was having with her friends.
Word +/- Associated Words or Phrases
2. All night, Cesar listened to his girlfriend yap about problems she was having with her friends.
Word +/- Associated Words or Phrases
3. At his company’s cocktail party, Sam sipped on a delicious glass of wine.
Word +/- Associated Words or Phrases
4. At his company’s cocktail party, Sam chugged a delicious glass of wine.
Word +/- Associated Words or Phrases
5. Carrie was very slender for her height and age.
Word +/- Associated Words or Phrases
6. Carrie was very skinny for her height and age.
Word +/- Associated Words or Phrases