denote

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "denote" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something signifying or indicating a particular thing. For example, "Her red hair denotes a fiery personality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As we deplete our ability to denote and figure particular aspects of our places, so our competence for understanding and imagining possible relationships with non-human nature is correspondingly depleted.

The Guardian - Books

All of this, according to the public relations wing of the French prison service, has made La Santé a lieu de mémoire ("a site of memory"), a term used by French historians to denote buildings and monuments that are charged with historical meaning.

The Guardian

On January 8th the Bureau of Meteorology added new colours, purple and pink, to its weather map to denote temperatures once considered off the scale: 50-52°C 50-52°C54°C respectively.

The Economist

From this it came to denote a period of five years.

The Economist

The shadow chancellor has taunted his opponent in Parliament by brandishing a flat palm to denote a "flat-lining" economy.

The Economist

Security maps of southern, eastern and much of northern Afghanistan are coloured livid red, to denote areas of Taliban control, with seams of green showing highways and checkpoints held by the government.

The Economist

Sigma is a Greek letter used in mathematics to denote standard deviation, a statistical measure of the extent to which a series of numbers or readings deviates from its mean.

The Economist

Rather, they denote structural changes in British politics, which Parliament is lagging.

The Economist

Flags poke out above the terminals, to denote which country's financial instruments are changing hands.

The Economist

Does this denote some cunning plan by Mr Banks to show up the bland centrism of New Labour on the campaign trail?

The Economist

LiveOps, an American firm whose employees do call-centre work from home, uses leaderboards and points to boost productivity, while a series of "badges" (modelled on video-game "achievements", given for completing certain tasks) denote mastery of certain skills.Games can be used for enthusing customers, too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "denote" when you want to specify the literal or explicit meaning of something, especially in technical or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "denote" when you actually mean "connote". "Denote" refers to the explicit meaning, while "connote" refers to the implied or associated meanings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "denote" is as a transitive verb. It's used to indicate that a word, symbol, or sign stands for something. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, aligning with its dictionary definition and contextual examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "denote" is a powerful tool for establishing clear and explicit meanings, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. To avoid confusion, remember that "denote" signifies the literal meaning, while alternatives such as "indicate", "signify", and "represent" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Using "denote" correctly enhances the precision and clarity of your writing, ensuring your message is accurately conveyed. Common errors include confusing it with "connote", so always double-check your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicate

This term is a direct synonym, focusing on pointing out or showing something.

signify

This alternative emphasizes the deeper meaning or symbolic representation.

represent

This highlights the act of standing in for or symbolizing something else.

designate

This suggests a more formal or official assignment of meaning.

symbolize

Focuses on the use of symbols to represent concepts or ideas.

imply

This term suggests indicating something indirectly without explicitly stating it.

mean

This is a simpler term focusing on the basic definition or understanding.

refer to

Focuses on the act of explicitly mentioning or alluding to something.

allude to

This suggests a subtle or indirect reference.

stand for

This highlights the use of an abbreviation or symbol to represent something.

FAQs

How do you use "denote" in a sentence?

Use "denote" when you want to indicate that a word, symbol, or sign refers to something directly. For example, "In mathematics, the symbol 'π' "denotes" the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter."

What's the difference between "denote" and "imply"?

"Denote" refers to the direct, explicit meaning of something, while "imply" suggests something indirectly. A sign "denotes" its literal meaning, but a speaker "implies" a hidden one.

What can I say instead of "denote"?

You can use alternatives like "indicate", "signify", or "represent" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "denote to"?

No, the correct usage is simply "denote". For example, "The term 'Renaissance' "denotes" a period of European history."