denote
gb/dɪnˈoʊt/ us/dɪnˈoʊt/
C1
English
~ 7900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
C1
action
1
to indicate or be a sign of
To show or mean something clearly, like a sign or signal does.
Usage pattern:
to denote [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often use "denote" in very casual speech where "show" or "mean" would sound more natural. "Denote" is usually used in formal writing, explanations, or analysis. Some learners also confuse it with "denounce" (which means to criticize strongly), or use it incorrectly with people as the subject (e.g., *"He denoted that..."*). It is more natural to say "This sign denotes that..." or "The result denotes a problem."
Synonyms
indicate (More common in everyday English; slightly less formal than "denote".)
|
signify (Very close in meaning; can sound slightly more literary or abstract.)
Antonyms
conceal (If something denotes a fact, it makes it clear; if it conceals it, it hides it.)
Collocations
denote that
|denote a
|denote the presence of
|clearly denote
|specifically denote
Themes
communication
|language
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Dark clouds usually denote that a storm is coming.
- A rising fever may denote a serious infection.
- In this chart, the red bars denote a negative result.
- A sudden drop in sales can denote deeper problems in the company.
- The look on his face seemed to denote anger rather than surprise.
Learner examples
- These symbols denote danger on the road.
- High prices often denote a strong demand for a product.
- The warning light on the car denotes a problem with the engine.
- In this report, stars denote important points.
- The color blue on the map denotes water.
Verb
technical
C1
relation
2
of a word, literally mean
When a word or sign denotes something, that thing is its clear, direct meaning.
Usage pattern:
to denote [concept/idea]
Common mistake:
Learners often do not realize that this sense is mainly used in technical or academic discussion about language, symbols, or logic. They might say *"This word denotes many things"* when they mean it has many possible uses or associations; more precise is to say what it denotes in that specific context. Learners also sometimes confuse "denote" and "connote": "denote" is the direct, dictionary meaning; "connote" is the extra feelings or ideas.
Synonyms
mean (More general and much more common; does not highlight the technical idea of literal reference.)
|
refer to (Focuses on the relationship between the word and the thing; slightly less formal than "denote".)
Antonyms
connote (Contrasts with "denote" by referring to suggested or associated meanings rather than the direct, literal meaning.)
Collocations
term denotes
|symbol denotes
|word denotes
|letter denotes
|variable denotes
Themes
language
|linguistics
|logic
|communication
|education
Examples
- In this article, the term "climate refugee" denotes a person forced to move because of climate change.
- In mathematics, the symbol "∅" denotes the empty set.
- The word "home" denotes a place where someone lives, but it often connotes warmth and safety as well.
- Here, the letter "x" denotes the number of hours worked.
- In this context, the phrase "artificial intelligence" denotes computer systems that can perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence.
Learner examples
- In this text, the word "student" denotes anyone who is studying at a school.
- On the map, this blue line denotes the river.
- In the formula, "T" denotes time in seconds.
- In the story, the crown denotes the king’s power.
- The sign "%" usually denotes a percentage.
Verb
formal
C2
action
3
to label or designate something
To give something a special name or sign and use it to talk about that thing.
Usage pattern:
to denote [something] by [name/symbol]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this sense of "denote" where simple verbs like "call" or "name" are better, for example *"We denote this city Paris"* in casual speech. This sense is mainly used in academic texts, mathematics, and technical explanations, often in patterns like "we denote X by Y" or "denoted as".
Synonyms
label (More common and less formal; often used for everyday naming, not just technical notation.)
|
designate (Very close in formal style; can also suggest officially choosing something for a role, not only naming it.)
Antonyms
mislabel (If you denote something with a name or symbol, you label it correctly; if you mislabel it, you give it a wrong or misleading label.)
Collocations
denote by
|denote as
|customarily denote
|conventionally denote
|we denote this by
Themes
language
|mathematics
|science
|communication
|education
Examples
- In the following discussion, we denote this function by f(x).
- For simplicity, let us denote the distance by the letter d.
- Throughout this paper, we denote the set of natural numbers by N.
- We denote the two groups as Group A and Group B for clarity.
- In this diagram, we denote the starting point with a star.
Learner examples
- In this book, we denote this sound with the letter "θ".
- On the plan, we denote each room by a number.
- In our notes, we denote temperature as T.
- We denote the answer with the word "result".
- In class, the teacher said, "We denote this line as AB."
Grammar
Dictionary form
denote
IPA
GB/dɪnˈoʊt/
US/dɪnˈoʊt/
Syllables & stress
de - note (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (note)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: denote
- 3rd Person Singular: denotes
- Present Participle: denoting
- Past: denoted
Word family
Forms
denotes
verb
denoting
verb
denoted
verb
Core family
denotation
noun C1
Related words
Advanced or less common
denotatively
adverb
denotational
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.