What is a denotation?

Answer by  lonelywolf (2117)

The best way to think of this is to compare it to the term "connotation." The "denotation" of a word is the strict "dictionary definition," whereas the "connotation" are the feelings and implications the word has. So words like beautiful, handsome, pretty, attractive, good-looking, etc. may have very similar (or even the same) denotation, they all have slightly different connotations.

Answer by  jclick (1561)

The definition of denotation is "the definition of a word" (as opposed to an implied meaning). Denotation refers to the actual or literal meaning of a word.