Denotation

Denotation refers to the primary meaning of a word. It is using words or expressions in their exact meaning or referent. Such words may have secondary meanings, but in their denotative usage, they will refer to the primary sense, while in connotative usages they take the secondary meaning. Secondary meaning of words is seen in metaphors, innuendos, euphemisms, and other figures of speech. Secondary meaning suggests extra meaning a word has outside its primary meaning.

Examples of Connotations

• This letter is a time bomb. (a letter that convulses the reader’s mind)
• Mark is green in the system. (new in the system)

Examples of Denotations

• The police discovered the time bomb planted in my office.
• Most leaves are green. (green used as a colour)