How to Pronounce “connotation”

British (UK)

/ˌkɒnəˈteɪʃən/

Australian (AU)

/ˌkɔnəˈtæɪʃən/

noun — An idea or feeling a word carries beyond its literal meaning.

Example: 'Cheap' has a negative connotation that 'inexpensive' avoids.

Antonyms: denotation

Where the stress falls. “connotation” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkɒnəˈteɪʃən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ˌkɒnəˈteɪʃən/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "connotation" mean?

connotation (noun): An idea or feeling a word carries beyond its literal meaning. For example — 'Cheap' has a negative connotation that 'inexpensive' avoids.

Which syllable is stressed in "connotation"?

“connotation” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ˌkɒnəˈteɪʃən/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the third one — so the third syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.