connotatively
With implied meaning
In a way that relates to the associations or emotional overtones a word carries beyond its literal meaning.
Words can be accurate denotatively but misleading connotatively: Calling someone "childlike" versus "childish" matters connotatively, even though both refer to qualities of children.
Implicit meaning beneath words
- nuanceSlight shade of difference
- undertoneSubdued background quality
- overtoneSubsidiary meaning or harmonic
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
hint · allusion · intimation · suggestion · inference · implication · innuendo · presupposition
Study of linguistic meaning
- pragmaticsLanguage-in-context study
- meaningWhat something signifies
- significationExpressed or intended meaning
- sensePerception or judgment
referent · association · lexical · figurative · metaphorical · symbolic · rhetorical · interpretive
Felt attitude or view
- feelingSensed inner state
- affectiveRelating to emotions
- evocativeTending to summon memories
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
nostalgia · warmth · negativity · positivity · loaded · charged · weighted · associations
Cultural or social prohibition
- loadedWeighted or wealthy
- sensitiveEasily affected emotionally
- euphemismMild substitute for bluntness
- dysphemismHarsh term for neutral
slur · reclaimed · pejorative · derogatory · honorific · respectful · offensive · inappropriate
subtext
Implicit meaning beneath words
- nuanceSlight shade of difference
- undertoneSubdued background quality
- overtoneSubsidiary meaning or harmonic
insinuation · hint · allusion · intimation · suggestion · inference · implication · innuendo · presupposition · indirectness
semantics
Study of linguistic meaning
- pragmaticsLanguage-in-context study
- meaningWhat something signifies
- significationExpressed or intended meaning
sense · referent · association · lexical · figurative · metaphorical · symbolic · rhetorical · interpretive · contextual
sentiment
Felt attitude or view
resonance · nostalgia · warmth · negativity · positivity · loaded · charged · weighted · associations · tone
taboo
Cultural or social prohibition
dysphemism · slur · reclaimed · pejorative · derogatory · honorific · respectful · offensive · inappropriate · stigmatized
connotativelyliterally
In exact terms
explicitly · referentially · lexically · directly · semantically