denotative
- adjective
- /ˌdiːnəˈteɪtɪv/
- The recurrence of blason images clearly allows the reader to picture Dambreuse's blason mentally and to interpret it as a denotative element.
- denotative meaning
- denotative sense
- denotative language
Examples
-
Some metaphors become universal, connotations made denotative, as with the term skyscraper.
Academic text (1997) -
Gulliver gives us the text of the document they produce, which they try to make as neutral and denotative as possible.
Academic text (2016) -
Each letter, they thought, had a simple denotative definition.
Fiction book (2001) -
And it felt to me somehow that whole words, denotative words don't let us down, don't put us at risk as much.
-
Images, in this case, are essentially denotative. (n1)
Academic text (2000) -
When denotative sense is missing, interpretation falls back on whatever is left—principally on syntax.
Academic text (2011) -
In a language class, we learned that the denotative meaning of 'home' refers to a physical place where someone lives.
-
The teacher emphasized the importance of understanding the denotative meanings of words before exploring their connotative uses.
-
To avoid confusion, it's crucial to first identify the denotative definition of a word in any discussion.
Synonyms
Exactly true without exaggeration or metaphor
About the meaning of a word or idea
Relating to a word's direct, literal meaning
Antonyms
How Literal
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Denotative comes from denote, which is made of de- and notare, meaning 'mark' or 'note'. You can see the same root in the English word note, so a denotative meaning is the plain, literal meaning you can 'note', not the feelings or hints around the word.