denotative.

Concerned with what an expression directly denotes or identifies, rather than additional associations.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• denotative meaning
• denotative reference

On the page

The analysis separated denotative meaning from the image’s additional associations.

Denotative reference was clarified before the discussion turned to tone.

Usage notes

Primary category: academic / formal. Forms: Relational or grammatical-status adjective; ordinary degree comparison only where the characteristic genuinely allows it. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: language analysis, sense distinction, word formation analysis, precise reference. Disciplines: academic writing, linguistics, dictionary and usage analysis. Commonness: uncommon.