Which term refers to the feelings attached to a word?

Which term refers to the feelings attached to a word?

• A. Denotation
• B. Simile
• C. Connotation
• D. Metaphor

Answer: (C)

Connotation is the feelings and associations a word carries beyond its literal dictionary meaning. These emotional overtones can vary by person and context—for example, “home” often feels warm and comforting, while “house” is more neutral and matter-of-fact. This concept is different from denotation, which is the exact, dictionary definition of a word. Simile and metaphor are figures of speech used to make comparisons, not to convey the emotional weight of a word itself.

Connotation is the feelings and associations a word carries beyond its literal dictionary meaning. These emotional overtones can vary by person and context—for example, “home” often feels warm and comforting, while “house” is more neutral and matter-of-fact. This concept is different from denotation, which is the exact, dictionary definition of a word. Simile and metaphor are figures of speech used to make comparisons, not to convey the emotional weight of a word itself.