Word Connotations What is a connotation? Hacker defines it as an emotional coloring that affects a reader’s response. Why are connotations important? If you do not understand what your words imply, they may lead to inappropriate interpretations of your meaning. Consider the following examples. • His daughter was nosy; she asked many questions. • His daughter was curious; she asked many questions. A reader of the first sentence might infer that the daughter’s questions are annoying, whereas a reader of the second sentence might understand the daughter in a more positive way. While ‘nosy’ and ‘curious’ seem synonymous, their connotations are different. Here is a list of words with similar meanings but different connotations. Positive Neutral Negative Self‐confident Proud Arrogant Dignified Reserved Snobby Modest Shy Mousy Venerable Elderly Old Thrifty Conservative Miserly Slender Thin Skinny