connote

verb

con·​note kə-ˈnōt How to pronounce connote (audio)
kä-
connoted; connoting

transitive verb

1
a
: to convey in addition to exact explicit meaning
all the misery that poverty connotes
For her, the word "family" connotes love and comfort.
b
: to imply as a logical connotation
2
: to be associated with or inseparable from as a consequence or concomitant
the remorse so often connoted by guilt

Examples of connote in a Sentence

The word “childlike” connotes innocence. For her, the word “family” connotes love and comfort.
Recent Examples on the Web Tropical heath, however, connotes the colonial context of healthcare for the subjects of Western rulers. Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 The name is supposed to connote special abilities and mission in life. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2024 Rumpled clothing connotes sloppiness, and the research shows that voters punish women for it more than men. Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2024 The time stamp connotes the moment Hamas’ cross-border assault from Gaza began, near the fields outside the Re’im kibbutz where the festival took place. Neri Zilber, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2023 Whereas in real estate the triple repetition of the word emphasizes the importance of a desirable location, with roses each use of the word connotes separate, distinct and all-important crucial factors. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2023 In American history, Richmond, VA, set in relation to Washington D.C., does not just innocently connote geography. David Cantwell, Time, 24 Aug. 2023 His repertoire includes more than a dozen poses, all meant to connote serene contemplation, even while his heart is revving with excitement and fear. Michael Finkel, Town & Country, 27 June 2023 Rendered in a bleary style that connotes distance and loss, the artworks evoke the Holocaust-era flight of the artist’s father from Lisbon — whose harbor is also pictured — to Glasgow. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 12 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'connote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin connotare, from Latin com- + notare to note

First Known Use

1665, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of connote was in 1665

Dictionary Entries Near connote

Cite this Entry

“Connote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/connote. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

connote

verb
con·​note kə-ˈnōt How to pronounce connote (audio)
kä-
connoted; connoting
: to suggest in addition to the exact meaning
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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