Definition of Denotation
the literal meaning of a word
Examples of Denotation in a sentence
While the word ‘rock’ has come to describe a certain form of music, its literal denotation refers only to actual stone.
Certain words have come to mean different things in today’s society, but the denotation of those words still means the same thing as they did in the past.
The word ‘mule’ is sometimes used to refer to a stubborn person, but its denotation means ‘a cross between a horse and a donkey.’
The denotation of the word ‘chick’ literally refers to baby birds, but the word is often used to refer to people as well.
The literal meaning of a word is its denotation, but the way it is used or perceived is referred to as its connotation.
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