LL.1 Identify positive and negative word connotations
What are shades of meaning?
Shades of meaning describe the small differences in the meaning of similar words. Even if words are close in definition, they can give off different feelings or levels of strength.
- happy → glad → joyful → ecstatic
- angry → mad → furious → enraged
Think of shades of meaning like different colors of the same paint. The meaning is related, but the feeling or intensity changes.
Positive and negative connotations
A connotation is the feeling or idea a word gives you, beyond its dictionary definition. Words can have a positive, negative, or neutral connotation.
- “confident” (positive) vs. “arrogant” (negative)
- “slim” (positive) vs. “skinny” (negative)
- “curious” (positive) vs. “nosy” (negative)
Two words may mean almost the same thing, but one can sound kind while the other may sound rude or harsh.
How to tell if a word is positive or negative
Ask yourself: does this word make the person or idea sound good, bad, or neutral? If it adds a good feeling, it is positive. If it adds a bad feeling, it is negative.
- “thrifty” (positive: smart with money)
- “cheap” (negative: unwilling to spend money)
- “unique” (positive: special) vs. “weird” (negative: strange in a bad way)
Listen to how the word would make someone feel if you used it about them. That helps you find the connotation.
Choosing the right word
When writing or speaking, the word you choose can change the tone of your message. Pick a word with a connotation that matches what you want to say.
- “The puppy is playful.” (positive)
- “The puppy is rowdy.” (negative)
- “She has a determined attitude.” (positive)
- “She has a stubborn attitude.” (negative)
The words you choose show your attitude. Be mindful of whether you want your sentence to sound positive, negative, or neutral.
Practice using shades of meaning
To get better at understanding connotations, practice grouping words from weakest to strongest and noticing which ones sound positive or negative.
- small → tiny → minuscule
- walk → stroll → march → stomp
- smart → clever → wise → genius
Practice helps you understand how to choose the best word for what you mean. This skill is part of learning strong vocabulary in third grade.