Connotation

Denotation is essentially a word's dictionary definition. Connotation refers to the "emotional content" of a word. Two words can have the same denotation but have different connotations, one positive and the other negative, for instance.

Consider the following ten words:

Aroma

Stink

Smell

Stench

Bouquet

Odor

Scent

Fragrance

Reek

Perfume

These ten words all have the same or similar denotation, but vastly different connotations.

Initial post:

1. Categorize the ten words. Which words have positive connotations? Which are negative? Which (if any) are neutral?
2. Further, rank the words within each category. Are somemorepositive or negative than others?
3. Think of another group of three or more words with the same or similar denotation but very different connotations (such as slender, thin, and skinny; thrifty, careful with money, and cheap). How do you use these words differently? Why do they have the connotations they do?