emotive meaning

noun

1. the emotional connotation of a word or expression that is used instead of one having a similar meaning but less affective quality, as the connotation of “murder” when used instead of “homicide” or “drunk” instead of “inebriated.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of emotive meaning¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Thibodeau interprets in “a deaf-centric way,” making a combination of morphological, syntactic and emotive meaning with her face that could only come from a lifetime of practice.

From New York Times