Denotation facts for kids
For the opposite of Denotation see Connotation.
Have you ever thought about the exact, plain meaning of a word or picture? That's what denotation is all about! It's the simple, direct meaning of something, like what you'd find in a dictionary. It's the basic idea, without any extra feelings or hidden messages.
Imagine you see a picture of a red rose. The denotation of that picture is just a red flower with a green stem. It's exactly what you see, nothing more. Denotation is different from connotation, which is about the feelings or ideas that a word or image makes you think of. For example, a red rose might connote (or suggest) love or passion.
Understanding Denotation with Examples
To really get what denotation means, let's look at some everyday examples. When we talk about denotation, we're focusing on the literal, factual meaning.
* The denotation of this image is simply a red rose with a green stem. It's just a picture of a flower. There are no hidden meanings or feelings attached to it when we talk about its denotation.
* This image shows a brown cross. That's its denotation. It's a shape made of two lines crossing each other. We're not thinking about what it might represent, just what it literally is.
* The denotation of this image is a drawing of a heart shape, like the kind you might see in a cartoon. It's a specific shape, often red, with two curves at the top and a point at the bottom.
In each of these examples, denotation helps us describe exactly what something is, without adding any personal feelings or cultural ideas. It's the starting point for understanding how words and images communicate.
See also
In Spanish: Denotación para niños
