Connotation

Connotation Definition

Connotation refers to the set of associations, feelings, or ideas that are evoked in an individual by a particular signifier. In the context of semiotics, it describes the cultural and personal meanings attached to a sign, moving beyond its literal denotation to encompass the secondary, implied meanings generated by that sign for the observer. For instance, while the signifier “torch” literally denotes a source of fire, its connotation might include associations such as light, conservatism, heat, or caves, depending on the cultural context.