Connotation and Denotation Worksheet for Language Arts Education

Let’s go step by step to solve this worksheet.

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Step 1: Understand the Task

The worksheet asks you to:

1. For each word listed, write its denotation — that’s the dictionary definition (the literal meaning).
2. Then decide if the word has a positive (+) or negative (–) connotation — that’s how people *feel* about the word, not just what it means.
3. Bonus: Pick two words with positive connotations and find synonyms (other words) that have negative connotations but mean roughly the same thing.

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Step 2: Go Word by Word

We’ll fill in the chart for each word.

#### 1. childlike
- Denotation: Having qualities of a child, like innocence or wonder.
- Connotation: Usually positive — implies purity, curiosity, joy.
→ Denotation: “Having the innocent or naive qualities of a child.”
→ Connotation: +

#### 2. gritty
- Denotation: Full of small hard particles (like sand); also means tough, determined.
- Connotation: Often positive when describing someone brave or resilient.
→ Denotation: “Having small rough particles; or showing courage and determination.”
→ Connotation: + (in modern use, especially for characters or stories)

#### 3. geezer
- Denotation: An old man.
- Connotation: Usually negative — sounds disrespectful or mocking.
→ Denotation: “An elderly man.”
→ Connotation: –

#### 4. pushy
- Denotation: Aggressively assertive; trying too hard to get what you want.
- Connotation: Negative — rude, annoying.
→ Denotation: “Aggressively self-assertive.”
→ Connotation: –

#### 5. frugal
- Denotation: Careful with money; not wasteful.
- Connotation: Positive — smart, responsible.
→ Denotation: “Sparing or economical with regard to money or food.”
→ Connotation: +

#### 6. arrogant
- Denotation: Having an exaggerated sense of one’s importance.
- Connotation: Negative — rude, stuck-up.
→ Denotation: “Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance.”
→ Connotation: –

#### 7. inquisitive
- Denotation: Curious; eager to learn.
- Connotation: Positive — shows intelligence and interest.
→ Denotation: “Curious or inquiring.”
→ Connotation: +

#### 8. extraordinary
- Denotation: Very unusual or remarkable.
- Connotation: Positive — amazing, special.
→ Denotation: “Very unusual or remarkable.”
→ Connotation: +

#### 9. attractive
- Denotation: Pleasing to look at; appealing.
- Connotation: Positive — good-looking, charming.
→ Denotation: “Pleasing to the eye or mind.”
→ Connotation: +

#### 10. juvenile
- Denotation: Related to young people; immature.
- Connotation: Often negative — childish, silly.
→ Denotation: “Relating to young people; immature.”
→ Connotation: –

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Step 3: Bonus Question

> Choose 2 words above that have a positive connotation. Think of a word that has a negative connotation for each one and write them on the lines.

Pick two positive words:

Example 1:
- Positive word: frugal
- Negative synonym: stingy (means same thing but sounds bad)

Example 2:
- Positive word: inquisitive
- Negative synonym: nosy (means curious, but implies spying)

Other options:
- childlike → babyish (negative)
- extraordinary → freakish (negative)
- attractive → flashy (sometimes negative)

But “frugal/stingy” and “inquisitive/nosy” are classic pairs.

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Final Answer:

Completed Chart:

| WORD | DENOTATION | CONNOTATION (+/–) |
|---------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| childlike | Having innocent or naive qualities of a child | + |
| gritty | Tough, determined; or full of small rough particles | + |
| geezer | An elderly man | – |
| pushy | Aggressively self-assertive | – |
| frugal | Careful with money; not wasteful | + |
| arrogant | Exaggerated sense of one’s importance | – |
| inquisitive | Curious; eager to learn | + |
| extraordinary | Very unusual or remarkable | + |
| attractive | Pleasing to look at or mind | + |
| juvenile | Relating to young people; immature | – |

Bonus Answer:

1. Frugal → Stingy
2. Inquisitive → Nosy