Connotation vs Metaphor
Connotation = the feeling or association a word carries
Metaphor = a comparison where one thing is described as another
1. Connotation
A word has aĀ denotationĀ (its literal meaning) and aĀ connotationĀ (the feelings or ideas people associate with it).
For example:
āSlimāĀ ā often has a positive connotation: healthy, attractive.
āSkinnyāĀ ā can have a negative connotation: too thin.
āConfidentāĀ ā positive connotation.
āArrogantāĀ ā negative connotation.
The words can describe similar behavior, but theyĀ make you feel differentlyĀ about the person.
Think: connotation = emotional tie.
2. Metaphor
AĀ metaphorĀ compares two things by saying that one thingĀ isĀ another thing, even though they aren't literally the same.
For example:
āTime is a thief.ā
Time isn't literally a thief. The metaphor suggests that time takes things away from us, just like a thief takes something.
Another example:
āShe has a heart of stone.ā
Her heart isn't actually made of stone. The metaphor suggests thatĀ she is emotionally cold or unfeeling.
Think: metaphor = comparison.
The key difference
Connotation | Metaphor | |
|---|---|---|
What is it? | An association/feeling attached to a word | A comparison between two things |
Example | āChildlikeā sounds positive | āThe classroom was a zooā |
Main purpose | Creates a particular feeling or attitude | Helps describe an idea vividly |
Question to ask | āWhat does this word make me think/feel?ā | āWhat is being compared to what?ā |
One example using both
āThe old house was a prisonā
That's aĀ metaphorĀ because the house is being compared to a prison.
The wordĀ āprisonāĀ also has a strongĀ negative connotationāit suggests confinement, fear, lack of freedom, etc.
So,Ā a metaphor can use words with strong connotations, but the two terms mean different things.
Quick memory trick:
Ā Connotation = association
Ā Metaphor = comparison