denote

[dih-noht]

verb (used with object)

denoted, denoting 

1. to be a mark or sign of; indicate.

   A fever often denotes an infection.

   Synonyms: evidence, signify, signal, mark

2. to be a name or designation for; mean.

3. to represent by a symbol, or to be a symbol for.

denote

/ dɪˈnəʊt /

verb

1. to be a sign, symbol, or symptom of; indicate or designate

2. (of words, phrases, expressions, etc) to have as a literal or obvious meaning

Other Word Forms

• denotable adjective
• denotement noun
• undenotable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of denote¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Middle French dénoter, Latin dēnotāre “to mark out,” equivalent to dē- de- + notāre “to mark”; note

Word History and Origins

Origin of denote¹

C16: from Latin dēnotāre to mark, from notāre to mark, _note

Example Sentences

But the brief also asserts the U.S. is involved in a noninternational armed conflict with the cartels, a legal term denoting one within the territory of a single state.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This can denote a fleeting quality, a trend to pass us by, not unlike the evolution of photography and videography.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It can be be used to denote the southern extent of the aurora.

Read more on BBC

Most often “the Renaissance” denotes the period of European history between the years 1400 and 1600, which witnessed a vital recovery of the literary genres, artistic ideals and philosophical visions of classical antiquity.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Robbins returns in the last play, which gives the evening its title, again on a first date, with a character denoted only as Girl, played with cool poise by Dylan Gelula.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• stand for