connote

/kəˈnəʊt/ (bre, ipa) · /kəˈnəʊt/ (ame, ipa) · /kə-ˈnōt kä-/ (ame, mw)

connote — verb

  • connotepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • connoteshe / she / it
  • connotedpast simple
  • connoting-ing form

1. to bring a feeling, idea, or association to mind in addition to its plain or bas

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to bring a feeling, idea, or association to mind in addition to its plain or basic meaning, often as a hidden layer that readers or listeners pick up without being told

例句

For Linh, the word "home" connotes warmth, family meals, and her grandmother's quiet humming.

subject is a word; object is a list of feelings and associations

The colour red connotes danger on traffic signs but love on a Valentine's card.

same item connotes different things in different contexts

同義詞
  • imply

    general; covers both suggestion and entailment

  • suggest

    everyday register; weaker than 'connote' on the cultural-layer reading

  • evoke

    stronger on emotional response; the listener feels something, not just understands

反義詞
  • denote

    the explicit, literal, dictionary-style meaning rather than the implied layer

文法句型

[word/object] + connotes + [feeling / idea / association]

用法筆記

Subject is usually a word, phrase, colour, image, or cultural practice; the object names the suggested feeling or idea. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about the suggestive aura something carries, not a strict logical entailment.

常見錯誤

❌The word "home" denotes warmth and family meals.
✅The word "home" connotes warmth and family meals.
💡'denote' is the dictionary-style literal meaning; 'connote' is the extra emotional or cultural layer.

2. to involve or carry along something as a necessary consequence, condition, or pa

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to involve or carry along something as a necessary consequence, condition, or partner — so accepting the first thing means accepting the second as well

例句

In logic class, Amani noted that being a square connotes having four equal sides.

formal/logical: X connotes Y means Y follows necessarily from X

Omar reminded the new partners that owning a restaurant connotes long hours and weekend shifts.

X connotes + [unavoidable consequence of X]

同義詞
  • entail

    preferred modern word for this strict logical/practical inclusion

  • imply

    in formal logic, 'imply' is closest; in everyday English it leans toward sense 1

  • involve

    everyday register; weaker but covers the same 'comes with' idea

反義詞
  • exclude

    rules out rather than carries along

文法句型

[concept / action] + connotes + [necessary consequence]

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about a strict 'comes with the package' logical or practical link, not a suggestive cultural aura. Often appears in philosophy, law, or careful academic writing; in everyday English, speakers prefer 'involve' or 'entail'.

常見錯誤

❌Owning a dog connotes love of animals.
✅Owning a dog involves daily walks and regular vet visits.
💡sense 2 means an unavoidable practical consequence; loving animals is a possible reason, not a required consequence.