Connote

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Connote" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the implied or associated meanings of a word or phrase. An example is: "The word 'home' connotes warmth and safety." Alternative expressions include "imply," "suggest," and "indicate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it can be ameliorated and it has an upside.The disorder in Bradford a decade ago was blamed by some on multiculturalism, a concept that, among its detractors, has come to connote tolerating or even encouraging separateness (see article).

The Economist

Modern-day Hokkaido (literally, the way to the northern seas) was then known as Ezo, whose written characters connote wildness and barbarity.

The Economist

Just as "pacification" once meant its opposite, so the "tiny minority" is coming to connote a big worry.Consider some facts about the bottle.

The Economist

Hostility used to connote racial prejudice, but no longer.

The Economist

His reluctance to force Labour out of its "comfort zone", as allies of his more Blairite brother put it, might connote weakness as much as authentically left-wing convictions.One of those allies, the former spin doctor Alastair Campbell, once predicted Mr Miliband would make Labour "feel good about losing".

The Economist

The influence of the horse is expressed in the English language in such terms as and (coming from the Latin, "horseman"), which connote honor, respect, good manners, and straightforwardness.

Britannica

Arroyo and (dry) wash connote ephemeral streams or their resultant channels.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some resistance to till-less agriculture and its variations has come from machinery manufacturers and from farmers themselves, to many of whom the debris-laden fields required by the procedure connote inferior farming.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But even to these persons, and certainly to many others, the term is often a dirty one tending to connote such things as the discredited atrocity stories and deceptively stated war aims of World Wars I and II, the operations of the Nazis' Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, and the broken campaign promises of a thousand politicians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In Eastern Christianity, the theologian St. John of Damascus popularized the term orthodoxy (literally "correct views") to connote the sum of Christian truth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is unfortunate that the word park has come to connote almost exclusively the "romantic" style park or English garden of the 19th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "connote" when you want to emphasize the implied or associated meanings of a word or phrase beyond its literal definition. Ensure the context clearly supports the intended connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "connote" when you mean "denote". "Connote" refers to the associated or implied meanings, while "denote" refers to the literal or explicit meaning. Using them interchangeably can lead to miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "connote" is a verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to indicate that a word, phrase, or image suggests or implies something beyond its literal meaning. Examples show how it connects a subject to an associated idea or feeling.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

23%

News & Media

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Connote" is a versatile verb used to indicate that something implies or suggests more than its literal meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, especially in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific writing. While alternatives like "imply" and "suggest" exist, "connote" adds a specific nuance related to associated meanings. When writing, ensure you distinguish it from "denote" to avoid confusion, and aim for clarity in conveying the intended connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imply

This verb suggests a meaning indirectly, differing from "connote" in its broader applicability.

suggest

Similar to "imply", this term offers a less forceful indication than "connote".

indicate

This term points to something, whereas "connote" carries a cultural or emotional association.

signify

While similar, "signify" often refers to a more direct or literal meaning, unlike "connote".

evoke

This term emphasizes the calling forth of feelings or memories, a subtler nuance compared to "connote".

hint at

This phrase suggests a subtle and indirect indication, less explicit than "connote".

intimate

This verb implies something delicate or private, setting it apart from the broader sense of "connote".

call to mind

This phrase focuses on bringing something to conscious awareness, a more active process than "connote".

give the impression

This expression describes the creation of an impression, which is a more subjective effect than "connote".

be suggestive of

This phrase describes something that hints at or implies something else, which is a bit more vague than "connote".

FAQs

How to use "connote" in a sentence?

Use "connote" to indicate that a word, phrase, or image suggests or implies something beyond its literal meaning. For example, "The color red often "connotes" passion or danger."

What can I say instead of "connote"?

You can use alternatives like "imply", "suggest", or "indicate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "connote" or "denote"?

"Connote" refers to the suggestive meanings of a word, while "denote" refers to its literal, dictionary definition. Choose the word that accurately reflects the meaning you want to convey.

What's the difference between "connote" and "imply"?

"Connote" means to suggest or imply in addition to the literal meaning, while "imply" means to suggest something without stating it directly. The speaker or writer implies, and the word or phrase connotes.