Denote
/dɪˈnoʊt/
verbB2
Definition
To denote means to point out or show the meaning of something clearly. When something denotes an idea or object, it stands for or represents that thing directly. It is often used with words, symbols, or signs that have a clear and specific meaning.
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See It in Action
To be a sign or symbol for something
- •The word "dog" denotes a type of animal.
- •A red light denotes that you must stop.
- •The symbol $ denotes money or currency.
To mean or represent something clearly
- •The color green on a map often denotes a park or forest.
- •In math, the letter "x" denotes an unknown number.
- •The word "bachelor" denotes an unmarried man.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "denote" like "show," but in a more formal or exact way—it's when something clearly means or stands for something else.
- ✓Picture a red stop sign: it denotes "stop." The sign doesn’t just suggest stopping; it clearly means you must stop.
- ✓It’s like when you see a heart symbol ❤️ and you know it denotes love or affection.
- ✓Sounds like "dee-NOTE" → imagine a note (paper) that clearly writes what something means.
- ✓In school, teachers use words that denote facts or ideas, not feelings.
- ✓NOT like "suggest" (which is less clear or direct), "denote" means a direct and clear meaning.
- ✓NOT like "imply" (which is indirect), "denote" is direct and obvious.
- ✓NOT like "describe" (which tells about details), "denote" is about exact meaning or sign.
Try Other Words
- •Indicate: to point out or show something (Use when you want to say something shows or points to a fact or idea)
- •Represent: to stand for or be a symbol of something (Use when talking about symbols or signs that stand for ideas or things)
- •Signify: to mean or be a sign of something (Use when emphasizing that something has meaning or importance)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "de-" (down, away, or intensive) + root "note" (to mark or observe)
- •Root: "note" comes from Latin "notare," meaning "to mark or write"
- •Origin: From Latin "denotare," meaning "to mark out, indicate"
- •First used in English in the 15th century to mean "to mark or indicate"
- •Today, used mostly in formal or academic language to mean "to show or mean clearly"
Reflect & Connect
•How can symbols or words denote different meanings in different cultures or languages?
•Can something denote more than one meaning at the same time? How would you explain that?
Fill in the blanks
1.The word "apple" denotes a type of ___ that you can eat.
2.On maps, colors often denote different ___ like water, land, or forests.
3.A smiley face emoji usually denotes ___ or happiness.
4.The word "denote" is more formal than "___" when talking about meaning.
5.In math, letters like "x" denote ___ numbers or unknown values.
6.When a symbol denotes something, it means it ___ that thing clearly.
7.A red light denotes you must stop, but a green light denotes you can ___.