What is the meaning of 'connotation'?

The meaning of 'connotation' refers specifically to the emotional and associative meaning of a word, which goes beyond its literal definition. This encompasses the feelings, ideas, and implications that a word often evokes in addition to its straightforward dictionary definition. For example, the word "home" may suggest warmth, comfort, and security, while the word "house" simply refers to a physical structure without any emotional implications. Understanding connotation is essential for grasping the nuances of language, as words can carry different meanings in different contexts based on their connotations.