Questions tagged [connotations]
This tag is for questions regarding the associated or underlying meaning of a word, in addition to its primary definition.
119
questions
11
votes
6answers
3k views
May I use “naive” to mean “inexperienced”?
Sometimes I may use "naive" in sentences like
I am naive in writing this type of articles
To say "inexperienced"
I would like to know how common this word is among native speakers of English, or ...
2
votes
2answers
4k views
how to differentiate between “implication” and“ connotation”?
While I have studied some resources as to these terms, in fact, I cannot yet get what could be considered as their difference. Or, when could they be interchangeable, when not?
Any comment would ...
5
votes
1answer
443 views
What kind of food is referred to as “sushi” in English?
A sequel to this CAPTCHA question, but no one posts for me this time so...
legends (image #)
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It was this test that prevented me from being a human, for I couldn't ...
1
vote
1answer
122 views
Implication of “you have to realize”
Is the phrase neutral, like "you need to know", or it has some negative connotations?
3
votes
3answers
1k views
Does gorgeous carry a sexual connotation?
From dictionaries, gorgeous means
very beautiful (macmillan)
Beautiful; very attractive (Oxford)
But I wonder if calling someone gorgeous, as in she is gorgeous, means beautiful in a sexual way....
0
votes
1answer
211 views
What does 'dalliance' mean here? [closed]
"So much preparation had gone into the diplomatic date that a US-India dalliance at the end of it was a foregone conclusion."
Does foregone conclusion mean that a US-India dalliance was not ...
4
votes
6answers
2k views
How does a native speaker choose one word over its synonym(s)?
In a recent speech, Senator Ted Cruz said:
... And under no circumstances will Iran be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Would it have also been correct to use synonyms such as obtain, secure,...
1
vote
2answers
387 views
Connotation of “laundry list”
Does "laundry list" have any negative connotation?
Or can it be used synonymously to "long list" in informal contexts?
0
votes
2answers
445 views
“[…]you'll see them all run for cover”?
Recently in a different context I was presented with something like this:
[When something big happens], you'll see them all run for cover.
At first I thought this was very idiomatic, but when I ...
1
vote
2answers
11k views
Meaning and connotation of “_______ your heart out”
What does _____ your heart out mean? Does it carry a positive connotation or a negative one?
For example:
work your heart out.
Does this mean that you like working, so you should do it to your ...
13
votes
2answers
18k views
Living by himself vs Living on his own
What is the difference between these sentences below in terms of meaning?
He lives by himself.
He lives on his own
If you ask me, the first sentence connotes that he doesn't have a ...
3
votes
1answer
3k views
to evolve in a negative way
In "everyday spoken English", can we use evolve in the sense of the opposite of optimization/improvement?
If something evolves, does it necessarily imply that it is for a better, or can it just be ...
5
votes
3answers
12k views
Does “the likes of” usually have a pejorative connotation?
Does the sentence
I admire heroes the likes of Batman and Superman.
sound wrong? Because I usually hear the likes of in sentences such as
Don't compare me to the like(s) of you!
But according to ...
2
votes
2answers
11k views
Does the phrase “voice an opinion” have some negative connotations?
Does the phrase voice an opinion have some negative connotations?
For example let us take this sentence:
User123456 in several comments on meta recently voiced the opinion that creation of a tag ...
2
votes
1answer
118 views
Is “consign” a negative verb?
I consulted Definition 1, in which the definition and examples are ambiguous about the connotation. Yet Definition 1.2 is surely negative: '...to be rid ....'
So what's the connotation?
I thought to ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
How rude is it to “spit” on somebody?
My friend presented his research topic in front of my professor. He was asked a question about it, but he had difficulty in answering it and was upset for a while. Then my professor (translated):
"...
12
votes
4answers
43k views
What is the difference between “within” and “inside”?
Here is the definition of the word within from Oxford Dictionary:
inside (something)
So does that mean the two words have no difference, and can be used exchangingly? Is there any connotation that ...
10
votes
4answers
18k views
Usage of “mad” and “crazy” in conversational english?
From English movies, I have got an impression to signify that a person is mentally ill, it is said "He is crazy" and that a person is angry upon somebody is signified by "He is mad on her". Although ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
What are the connotations of the word 'disorder' for a native speaker?
What connotations does the word disorder have for a native speaker? Does it sound very negative or rather neutral?
It's still better to describe phenomena such as ADHD as mental illness, but it still ...
