denotation

/ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌdiːnəʊˈteɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌdē-nō-ˈtā-shən/ (ame, mw)

denotation — noun

  • denotationsingular
  • denotationsplural

1. the direct, basic meaning that a word or phrase has, apart from any extra feelin

1.名詞C1
釋義

the direct, basic meaning that a word or phrase has, apart from any extra feelings or associations it may bring to mind

例句

In class, Hiro said the denotation of "snake" is simply a long reptile.

the denotation of + word

Ada looked up the denotation of "frugal" before reading the novel.

look up the denotation of a word

同義詞
  • literal meaning

    the closest everyday phrase for a word's direct sense

  • dictionary meaning

    stresses the meaning you would expect to find in a dictionary entry

  • definition

    broader; can include an explanation, not only the core semantic value

反義詞
  • connotation

    the emotional or cultural associations that go beyond the direct meaning

文法句型

the denotation of a word

literal denotation

用法筆記

Often discussed alongside connotation. This sense names the core dictionary meaning, while sense 2 is about the thing or idea a word points to in formal analysis.

常見錯誤

❌The denotation of "home" is warmth and safety.
✅The connotation of "home" is warmth and safety.
💡denotation is the direct meaning, while connotation covers emotional associations.

2. the relation in which a word or phrase points to a particular thing or idea, or

2.名詞C2
釋義

the relation in which a word or phrase points to a particular thing or idea, or the thing it points to in technical discussion

例句

In Mina's report, the denotation of "the capital" was Seoul, not Tokyo.

the denotation of + phrase is a specific referent

In the map key, the denotation of the blue line is the river itself.

symbol or phrase points to an actual object

同義詞
  • reference

    the broadest term for the act or relation of pointing to something

  • designation

    formal and often used when a word is used as a label for something

  • referent

    names the object itself rather than the relation

文法句型

the denotation of a phrase is something

denotation between words and things

用法筆記

Common in semantics, logic, and legal analysis. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense focuses on reference to a thing or idea, not the core dictionary meaning alone.

常見錯誤

❌In this report, the denotation of "the capital" is important.
✅In this report, the denotation of "the capital" is Taipei.
💡this sense identifies what a phrase points to, not a quality linked with it.