Meaning & use
denotative meanings
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Meaning
nounpluraltechnical
The literal, dictionary meanings of words, as opposed to the feelings or ideas they suggest.
Grammar: Always used in the plural in this phrase; the singular form is 'denotative meaning'.
Patterns
- the denotative meanings of something
- denotative meanings and connotations
In semantics class, we compared the denotative meanings of 'house' and 'home'.
The denotative meanings of these two words are almost the same, but their connotations are very different.
Word forms
| singular | denotative meaning |
|---|
Common combinations
- denotative meanings of words
- Students often confuse the denotative meanings of words with their emotional associations.
- literal denotative meaning
- The literal denotative meaning of 'snake' is a kind of reptile.
- denotative and connotative meanings
- A good writer pays attention to both denotative and connotative meanings.
- primary denotative meaning
- The primary denotative meaning of 'bank' is a financial institution.
Synonyms and how they differ
- literal meaning
- This is the everyday term; 'denotative meaning' is the technical term used in linguistics.
- referential meaning
- This is a near-synonym in philosophy of language, focusing on what a word refers to in the world.
Opposites
Word family
- denote verb
- To be a sign of something; to mean something literally.
- denotation noun
- The literal meaning of a word, as opposed to its connotations.
- denotative adjective
- Relating to the literal meaning of a word.
Commonly confused: denotative meanings or connotative meanings?
denotative meanings vs connotative meanings
'Connotative meanings' are the feelings or ideas a word suggests, while 'denotative meanings' are the literal, dictionary definitions.
Practice
In linguistics, what do 'denotative meanings' refer to?
Choose one answer.
'Denotative meanings' are the literal, dictionary definitions, while emotional associations are 'connotative meanings'. The other options describe different aspects of language.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “denotative meanings”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.