How is the connotative meaning of a word different from the denotative meaning of a word? A connotative meaning is stated in precise words, while a denotative meaning uses ambiguous words. A connotative meaning is related to the origin of a word, while a denotative meaning is related to the root of a word. A connotative meaning is the literal meaning of a word, while a denotative meaning is the figurative meaning of a word. A connotative meaning is based on the emotions associated with a word, while a denotative meaning is based on a specific dictionary meaning.