What does connotation refer to in language?

Connotation refers to the implied meanings or emotional associations that a word carries beyond its literal definition. While the literal meaning of a word is its denotation, connotation encompasses the feelings, emotions, and ideas that a word evokes in addition to its primary meaning. For example, the word "home" can suggest warmth, comfort, and safety, while its denotation is simply a place where one lives. This layered meaning plays a crucial role in effective communication, as it can influence how a message is received and interpreted by an audience. Understanding connotation allows individuals to convey more nuanced ideas and to appreciate the subtleties of language, which is essential in fields such as literature, rhetoric, and even mortuary science, where sensitivity to language can impact the grieving process.