Definitions

1. adjective

of or relating to denotation, especially the process of assigning a meaning to a word or symbol

“The denotative meaning of the term can be understood by looking up its definition in a dictionary.”

2. adjective

designating or relating to a linguistic or philosophical approach that emphasizes the literal or dictionary meaning of words

“In linguistic analysis, the denotative approach focuses on the literal meaning of words without considering their connotations.”

3. noun

a characteristic or aspect of a word’s meaning that is not affected by context

“The denotative sense of the word ‘bank’ is the physical institution where you deposit money, rather than the side of a river.”