Question

What are negative connotations?

Answer 1

Negative connotation is using an implied meaning of a word to describe someone or something in a negative light.

Explanation:

Words have meanings. They always have a literal meaning and sometimes they have an implied meaning. It's the implied meaning that is a connotation.

Within the world of connotations, there are positive connotations and negative connotations.

For instance, if I want to refer to a woman,

I could use the word "woman" - I'm using the literal definition of "woman" to describe someone.

I could refer to her as a "lady" - I'm now using an implied definition to describe positive aspects about the woman. This is positive connotation.

I could refer to her as a "street walker" - I'm now using an implied definition to describe the negative aspects about the woman. This is negative connotation.