Understanding Denotation and Connotation

The denotation of a word is its dictionary definition. The following words have the same basic denotation:

red     crimson     scarlet     ruby

However, each of these words has different connotations, the web of ideas and feelings that they evoke.

red (blood, fire, heat, anger, intensity)

crimson (blushing, bruising, introversion, secrecy)