Connotation - AP® English Definition

Connotation is the emotional or cultural meaning that a word carries, beyond its dictionary definition. In AP English, students study connotation to understand how writers use word choices to create mood, tone, or deeper meaning.

Writers choose words with strong connotations to influence how readers feel or think about a subject. For example, describing someone as a "predator” shows how word choice can affect interpretation. Analysing connotation helps students understand a writer’s attitude and message.

Example of connotation in an AP English text

In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the word “sin” has a strong negative connotation, linked with guilt, shame, and social rejection.

Hawthorne explores how different characters respond to the idea of sin, and the word’s emotional weight helps shape the novel’s dark and judgmental tone. Understanding the connotations of words like “sin,” “shame,” and “penance” reveals deeper themes in the story.