denotation
[ dee-noh-tey-shuh n ]
/ ˌdi noʊˈteɪ ʃən /
noun
the explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression, as distinguished from the ideas or meanings associated with it or suggested by it; the association or set of associations that a word usually elicits for most speakers of a language, as distinguished from those elicited for any individual speaker because of personal experience.
a word that names or signifies something specific: “Wind” is the denotation for air in natural motion. “Poodle” is the denotation for a certain breed of dog.
the act or fact of denoting; indication.
something that denotes; mark; symbol.
Logic.
- the class of particulars to which a term is applicable.
- that which is represented by a sign.
QUIZZES
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Question 1 of 7
What does "scattergood" mean?
a person who acts as though he or she knows everything and who dismisses the opinions, comments, or suggestions of others.
a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully; spendthrift.
a well-intentioned but naive and often ineffectual social or political reformer.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUTCompare connotation.
Words nearby denotation
denomination, denominational, denominationalism, denominative, denominator, denotation, denotative, denote, denotive, denouement, denounce
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for denotation
British Dictionary definitions for denotation
denotation
/ (ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃən) /
noun
the act or process of denoting; indication
a particular meaning, esp one given explicitly rather than by suggestion
- something designated or referred toCompare referent, connotation
- another name for extension (def. 11)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for denotation
denotation
[ (dee-noh-tay-shuhn) ]
The basic dictionary meaning of a word, without its connotations. For example, the denotation of the word modern is “belonging to recent times,” although the word may have different connotations.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.