What is the ideas and feelings that a word evokes beyond its literal meaning called?

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

Answer: (C)

Connotation is the ideas and feelings that a word evokes beyond its literal meaning. It adds emotional tone, cultural associations, and personal experiences tied to the word, not just its dictionary definition. For example, home suggests warmth and safety, whereas its denotation is simply a place to live. Understanding connotation helps explain why some words carry bright, cheerful, or negative vibes even when their literal meanings are similar. Metaphor and simile are about making comparisons, while denotation is the exact, literal meaning of a word; connotation is the emotional weight that goes beyond that literal sense.