Exploring how a word's meaning can change over time
I can explain how the meanings of words can change over time.
Exploring how a word's meaning can change over time
I can explain how the meanings of words can change over time.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Weakening is when a word is overused and loses the strength of its meaning
- Intensification is when a word acquires a stronger meaning over time
- Amelioration is when a word acquires a certain, more pleasurable meaning than it once had
- Pejoration is when a word acquires negative connotations that it did not have before
Common misconception
That the process of amelioration and pejoration mean a word completely changes its meaning.
Pejoration and amelioration refer to a word becoming more negative/positive and this does not mean the word completely changes its meaning.
Keywords
Weakening - When a word is overused and its meaning is altered this is called weakening.
Intensification - When a word acquires a stronger meaning than it had before this is called intensification.
Amelioration - Amelioration is when a word acquires pleasant connotations that it didn’t have before.
Pejoration - Pejoration is when a word acquires negative connotations that it didn’t have before.
Superlative - A superlative shows the highest or lowest quality of something. e.g 'best' or 'greatest'.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
when a word acquires a more negative meaning
a process when a word acquires a more pleasant meaning
when a word gains a stronger meaning than it had before