denote
dih-NOHT
Denote (verb) means to be a sign or indication of something. Example: “A red flag on the beach denotes dangerous swimming conditions.”
verb
1
To be a sign or indication of something.
"A red flag on the beach denotes dangerous swimming conditions."
"A high fever can denote a serious infection."
2
To mean or represent something literally, as a word or symbol does.
"In this context, the term denotes a specific legal category."
How to use denote
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo indicate or stand for something.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with connote, which refers to an implied or associated meaning rather than the literal one.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- denotes
- Past tense
- denoted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A red flag on the beach _____ dangerous swimming conditions.
Etymology
From Latin denotare, from de- ("thoroughly") plus notare ("to mark").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for denote
See all rhymes for denote →Frequently asked questions
What does “denote” mean?
The word “denote” means to be a sign or indication of something. In plain terms, to indicate or stand for something.
How do you pronounce “denote”?
“Denote” is pronounced dih-NOHT (/dɪˈnoʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “denote” in a sentence?
Here is “denote” used in a sentence: “A red flag on the beach denotes dangerous swimming conditions.”
What part of speech is “denote”?
“Denote” is a verb.
Where does the word “denote” come from?
The word “denote” comes from Latin. From Latin denotare, from de- ("thoroughly") plus notare ("to mark").
Is “denote” a common word?
“Denote” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “denote” have?
“Denote” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to be a sign or indication of something.
