denotation
Word's dictionary meaning
Denotation is the literal, dictionary meaning of a word—what it refers to directly, stripped of emotional coloring or associated ideas.
The denotation of *home* is a dwelling place; its connotations include warmth, safety, and belonging.
The word's denotation is neutral, but its connotations are loaded.
In logic and semiotics, denotation is the relationship between a sign and the thing it represents.
Expressed or intended meaning
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
- extensionAdded part or duration
- meaningWhat something signifies
- sensePerception or judgment
lexicography · dictionary · glossary · terminology · lexicon · definition · explanation · interpretation
Meaning-bearing form
- signifiedExpressed meaning symbolically
- signMark conveying information
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
- iconPictorial screen symbol
index · referent · representation · signification · code · meaning · interpretation · semantics
Added part or duration
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
- referentWhat a term designates
- objectTangible entity or aim
- classGrouping by shared traits
set · category · predicate · proposition · truth value · designation · application · domain
Fundamental dictionary unit
- termFixed period or word
- wordLinguistic meaning unit
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
- phraseWords forming partial meaning
morpheme · semantics · literal · figurative · polysemy · homonymy · synonymy · antonymy
Indirect suggestion or consequence
- nuanceSlight shade of difference
- subtextImplicit meaning beneath words
- undertoneSubdued background quality
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
association · overtone · implied meaning · figurative · metaphorical · suggestive · evocative · allusion
signification
Expressed or intended meaning
- referenceDirecting attention elsewhere
- extensionAdded part or duration
- meaningWhat something signifies
sense · lexicography · dictionary · glossary · terminology · lexicon · definition · explanation · interpretation · elucidation
signifier
Meaning-bearing form
- signifiedExpressed meaning symbolically
- signMark conveying information
- symbolRepresentational mark or sign
icon · index · referent · representation · signification · code · meaning · interpretation · semantics · pragmatics
extension
Added part or duration
class · set · category · predicate · proposition · truth value · designation · application · domain · range
lexeme
Fundamental dictionary unit
- termFixed period or word
- wordLinguistic meaning unit
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
phrase · morpheme · semantics · literal · figurative · polysemy · homonymy · synonymy · antonymy · lexical
implication
Indirect suggestion or consequence
- nuanceSlight shade of difference
- subtextImplicit meaning beneath words
- undertoneSubdued background quality
suggestion · association · overtone · implied meaning · figurative · metaphorical · suggestive · evocative · allusion · inference
- languagelanguage, word, words, grammar, spelling
- vocabularyword, words, new words, term, terms
- language termsgrammar, word, vocabulary, syntax, synonym
- meaningmeaning, sense, significance, definition, semantics
- interpretationinterpretive dance, translation, interpreting, translating, construing
- literary analysisliterary analysis, character analysis, book review, plot, critical analysis
denotationconnotation
Implied sense, not dictionary
implied meaning · subtext · overtones · undertones · emotional resonance
denotationambiguity
Openness to multiple interpretations
vagueness · indeterminacy · polysemy · equivocation · fuzziness
denotationmeaninglessness
Lack of significance
nonsense · insignificance · triviality · emptiness · ambiguity