denotative

[ dee-noh-tey-tiv, dih-noh-tuh-tiv ]
See synonyms for denotative on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. having power to denote.

  2. denoting or tending to denote: the denotative meaning of a word.

Origin of denotative

1
1605–15; <Latin dēnotātus (past participle of dēnotāre to mark out, denote) + -ive

Other words from denotative

  • de·no·ta·tive·ly, adverb
  • de·no·ta·tive·ness, noun
  • non·de·no·ta·tive, adjective
  • non·de·no·ta·tive·ly, adverb
  • un·de·no·ta·tive, adjective
  • un·de·no·ta·tive·ly, adverb

Words Nearby denotative

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use denotative in a sentence

  • Meaning here, then, can be neither the connotative nor denotative reference of a term; they are covered by the two prior formulae.

  • Definitions are of three types, denotative, expository, scientific.

    How We Think | John Dewey
  • This method of delimiting a meaning by calling out a certain attitude toward objects may be called denotative or indicative.

    How We Think | John Dewey
  • The workings of my thought thus determine both its denotative and its connotative significance more fully.

    The Meaning of Truth | William James
  • In every language those words which are denotative of sounds are nearly always also imitative of them.

British Dictionary definitions for denotative

denotative

/ (dɪˈnəʊtətɪv) /


adjective
  1. able to denote; designative

  2. explicit; overt

Derived forms of denotative

  • denotatively, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012