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Denotation & Connotation Practice

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54 views2 pages

Denotation & Connotation Practice

Uploaded by

rlowe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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RETEACH

Name: Date:

DENOTATION AND CONNOTATION

The connotation of a word refers to the ideas or feelings associated with it.
Connotation can be described as either positive or negative. For example, the
sentence “This candy bar is very sweet” carries a positive connotation because
“sweet” things are considered delicious. However, the sentence “This candy bar is
very sugary” carries a negative connotation because things with a lot of sugar are
considered bad for our health. While “sweet” and “sugary” are similar in
definition, the feelings associated with them are different.
The denotation of a word is the dictionary definition of the word. The denotative
meaning of “sweet” and “sugary” is the same because the literal meaning of each
word is “containing sugar.”
A. DIRECTIONS: In each of the following items, think about the connotative meaning
of the italicized word and label it as either positive or negative. Then, rewrite the
sentence by replacing the italicized word with a word carrying the opposite
connotation.
1. Edison said the movie’s ending was horrifying.

2. Your friend Garth is full of life.

3. The team was ecstatic after the soccer game.

4. The moon was revealed in the night sky.

B. DIRECTIONS: Replace the italicized denotative meaning in each sentence with the
appropriate word from the box.
1. I bought a very heavy coat that keeps me (warm).
mediocre
2. The cabin we rented for the weekend was so (small), I couldn’t wait gangly
to leave. toasty
3. My ten-year-old brother is (extremely trim).
diminutive

4. The second-hand stove I bought turned out to be (second rate)!

© by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. 1


PRACTICE

Name: Date:

DENOTATION AND CONNOTATION

A. DIRECTIONS: Complete each sentence with the word in parentheses that carries a
positive connotative meaning. Then, rewrite the sentence and replace the word with
its denotative meaning.
1. Paul was (artful/wily) in his manipulation of the facts.

2. My parents were (thrilled/gratified) to find that I had raised my grade point


average.

3. I was (surprised/shocked) to find that my best friend had been telling


(lies/tales).

B. DIRECTIONS: Read each group of words below and think about their connotations.
Then, list the words in order from most negative to most positive connotation.
1. nasty vile icky

2. astute cunning scheming

3. adversary foe opponent

C. DIRECTIONS: The connotation of a word can change, based on the context in which
it is used. Below, write two sentences using the word bookish. Be sure to change
the connotation of the word between sentences.

© by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. 2

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