Learn English – Connotes vs Connotates

word-choiceword-usage

Can someone recommend proper usage of the word "connotate", for example, in a sentence? I am having difficulty distinguishing when to use connote over connotates.

The word 'remaining' connotes (or connotates?) continuing action as before…

Best Answer

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary:

connotate (v.)
"to signify secondarily," 1590s, from Medieval Latin connotatus, past participle of connotare "signify in addition to the main meaning," a term in logic (see connotation). It is now obsolete, replaced by connote.

Emphasis mine. A Google Ngram backs it up:

enter image description here

So, to answer your question, there is no proper usage of the word connotate in modern English.

Just use connote.

Related Topic