FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What does 'connotation' refer to?

1. The literal definition of a word

2. The implied meaning based on context

3. The pronunciation of a word

4. The grammatical function of a word

The correct answer is: The implied meaning based on context

Connotation refers to the implied meanings and associations that a word carries beyond its literal definition. While the literal definition is known as denotation, connotation encompasses the emotional and cultural nuances that can influence how a word is perceived in different contexts. For example, the word "home" not only refers to a place where one lives (denotation) but also connotes feelings of warmth, safety, and family. Understanding connotation is vital for effective communication, as it can impact how messages are received and understood by an audience. This is why the choice highlighting the implied meaning based on context is the correct answer.