| English Dictionary |
DENOTATIVE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
Dictionary entry overview: What does denotative mean?
• DENOTATIVE (adjective)
The adjective DENOTATIVE has 2 senses:
1. having the power of explicitly denoting or designating or naming
2. in accordance with fact or the primary meaning of a term
Familiarity information: DENOTATIVE used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Having the power of explicitly denoting or designating or naming
Synonyms:
denotative; denotive
Similar:
appellative; naming (inclined to or serving for the giving of names)
designative (serving to designate)
extensional (defining a word by listing the class of entities to which the word correctly applies)
referent (having reference)
referential (referring or pointing to something)
Also:
explicit; expressed (precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication)
Antonym:
connotative (having the power of implying or suggesting something in addition to what is explicit)
Derivation:
denote (have as a meaning)
Sense 2
Meaning:
In accordance with fact or the primary meaning of a term
Synonyms:
denotative; explicit
Similar:
literal (limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text)
Derivation:
denote (have as a meaning)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Unfortunates learn from their own mistakes, and the lucky ones learn from other's mistakes." (Afghanistan proverb)
"An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep." (Arabic proverb)
"Cards play and gamblers brag." (Corsican proverb)