con-

together, with; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

con-
com- — Used before certain consonants, especially b, p, and m.
col- — The final consonant changed before l.
cor- — The final consonant changed before r.
co- — The final consonant was lost in some combinations.

Origin

From Latin cum, “with,” and an older form com-.

Note

Togetherness could extend to completeness. Not every word containing this prefix retains an obvious “with” meaning.

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noun

connotation

kah-nuh-TAY-shun/ˌkɑːnəˈteɪʃn/

An associated meaning or feeling beyond the literal meaning.

The word home carries a warm connotation of affection and comfort.

Brief functional example word HOME on small paper card; beneath it literal simple house icon and warm heart/glowing hearth image in faint association bubble show meaning plus affectionate feeling.

Etymology

conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly

+notLatinmark or record

+ationLatinan action, process, or result

The underlying image is “marking along with”: a word signals something alongside its primary meaning. A connotation is that additional suggestion or association.

In context

overzealots27:49

The concept of exile took an outright metaphysical connotation within Jewish traditions going far beyond simply being away from one's homeland.

Destroying EVERY Zionist Talking Point

More examples

She chose a term with a warmer connotation.
The literal meaning stayed the same, but its connotations changed.
He explained the phrase’s political connotations.

Forms

connotation · connotations

Similar words

denotation: Denotation is the direct literal meaning; connotation is an associated implication or feeling.
association: Association is any mental connection; connotation concerns meanings or feelings attached to an expression.