Which statement best defines denotation?

• A. The emotional associations attached to a word.
• B. The implied or suggested meaning of a word.
• C. The literal dictionary meaning of a word.
• D. A synonym with a similar nuance.

Answer: (C)

Denotation is the literal dictionary meaning of a word—the direct, exact definition you’d find in a dictionary. That’s why describing denotation as the literal dictionary meaning is the best match. The other ideas refer to connotation, which is the emotional or suggested associations a word carries beyond its strict definition. Saying a word has an implied or suggested meaning isn’t about the dictionary sense, but about how it feels or what it evokes. A synonym is another word with a similar meaning, not the strict dictionary meaning itself. For example, the denotation of “home” is the place where someone lives; its connotations include warmth, safety, and belonging.