denotation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The direct, literal meaning of a word, as opposed to the feelings it suggests.

   The denotation of 'home' is simply a place to live, but it connotes warmth and safety.

2. 2
   noun

   The thing or set of things that a word refers to.

   The two phrases differ in connotation but share the same denotation.

From Late Latin dēnotātiō, from Latin dēnotāre (“to denote, mark out”) + -tiō (suffix forming nouns of action), from dē- (“completely”) + notāre (“to mark”); equivalent to denote + -ation.

Topics