denotative

[ dee-noh-tey-tiv, dih-noh-tuh-tiv ]

adjective

1. having power to denote.
2. denoting or tending to denote:

   the denotative meaning of a word.

Other Words From

• deno·tative·ly adverb
• deno·tative·ness noun
• non·deno·tative adjective
• non·deno·tative·ly adverb
• un·deno·tative adjective
• un·deno·tative·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of denotative¹

1605–15; < Latin dēnotātus (past participle of dēnotāre to mark out, denote ( def ) ) + -ive

Example Sentences

Meaning here, then, can be neither the connotative nor denotative reference of a term; they are covered by the two prior formulae.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions are of three types, denotative, expository, scientific.

From Project Gutenberg

This method of delimiting a meaning by calling out a certain attitude toward objects may be called denotative or indicative.

From Project Gutenberg

The workings of my thought thus determine both its denotative and its connotative significance more fully.

From Project Gutenberg

In every language those words which are denotative of sounds are nearly always also imitative of them.

From Project Gutenberg