Which term describes the meaning attached to words beyond their literal definition?

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Connotation is the meaning attached to words beyond their literal definition. It includes the feelings, associations, and cultural shades a word carries in addition to its dictionary sense. For example, describing a room as “homey” evokes warmth and comfort, beyond simply stating it is comfortable. Denotation is the exact dictionary meaning, the literal definition. Semantics is the broader study of meaning in language, not the specific emotional or associative load. Pragmatics focuses on how context and usage shape interpretation. So the added layer of meaning beyond the literal is connotation.