denotative

/dɪˈnəʊ.tə.tɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdiː.noʊ.teɪ.t̬ɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdē-nō-ˌtā-tiv di-ˈnō-tə-tiv/ (ame, mw)

denotative — adjective

  • denotativepositive
  • more denotativecomparative
  • most denotativesuperlative

1. describing the basic, direct meaning of a word, rather than the emotions, cultur

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describing the basic, direct meaning of a word, rather than the emotions, cultural associations, or personal impressions that people connect with that word.

例句

The denotative meaning of 'home' is 'a place where someone lives,' not 'a warm, safe feeling.'

denotative meaning of + noun phrase

Yumi explained that the denotative meaning of 'snake' is simply 'a long, legless reptile,' though many people fear snakes.

同義詞
  • literal

    more common in everyday speech; 'denotative' is more formal and technical

  • explicit

    focuses on clarity of expression rather than dictionary definition

  • direct

    broader in meaning; does not specifically contrast with connotation

反義詞
  • connotative

    the direct antonym in linguistics; refers to the ideas and feelings a word suggests beyond its literal meaning

  • figurative

    describes language used in a non-literal way, such as metaphors or idioms

文法句型

denotative meaning of + noun

用法筆記

This term is most common in academic contexts, especially linguistics and literary analysis. It almost always appears before the noun 'meaning' or 'definition.' Distinguish from 'connotative,' which refers to the emotional or cultural associations of a word.

常見錯誤

❌I looked up the denotative use of the word in the dictionary.
✅I looked up the denotative meaning of the word in the dictionary.
💡'Denotative' almost always modifies 'meaning' or 'definition', not 'use'.
❌The denotative sense of the word carries negative feelings.
✅The denotative sense of the word is neutral; the negative feelings come from its connotations.
💡'Denotative' refers to the literal, not the emotional, associations.