Connote-Denote | Commonly Confused Words

Connote

/kəˈnəʊt/

To suggest or imply something additional to the main meaning

Her smile seemed to connote a deeper meaning.The color red can connote both danger and love.His silence might connote disapproval or thoughtfulness.

/dɪˈnəʊt/

To be a sign of or to indicate something

Red lines on the map denote hazardous areas.A symbol can denote a particular idea or object.In logic, letters often denote variables or constants.

Denote is more literal; it means to directly indicate something.
Connote is more subtle and involves an associated meaning or implication.
Think of denote as dictionary definitions and connote as what those definitions suggest beyond the obvious.
Use denote when you want to state what is actually there or stated.
Use connote when you are referring to additional meanings or emotions tied to the word or concept.