denotes

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'denotes' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is being represented or referred to by a particular sign, symbol, or name. For example: "The atomic symbol O denotes oxygen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps it denotes the blind and joyous belief in revolutionary ideology.

The Guardian - Books

"We understand that the 'high' categorisation given to us denotes the complexity of the company and therefore the time and resources required to monitor the complex taxation issue.

The Guardian

Each filled square denotes a seat won by the party; each empty square shows additional seats it would have gained under a directly proportional system.

The Economist

But if hostility towards such agreements denotes unease about trade in general, it is a worrying sign.And it is possible to imagine the world economy becoming less integrated.

The Economist

It scored 0.86 on an index in which one denotes perfect equality.

The Economist

Whether we are speaking of the present or the past, "Aramaic" denotes a family of languages, differing from one another as much as say, Italian does from Romanian.

The Economist

Bantu denotes an African linguistic group, not a tribe; the language of Afghanistan's biggest group is Pushtu, not Pashtun; Wahhabism, not Wahhanism, is an extremist Islamic movement.And then there is the writing.

The Economist

It denotes a middle-class level of prosperity at which basic needs are comfortably met, with a bit to spare besides.

The Economist

In America, by contrast, the term "trailer" denotes more than a mobile home, and the people who live in one know it.

The Economist

Noun-noun compounds have a "head", the noun in the phrase that denotes what kind of thing is at issue.

The Economist

Nor are we seeing the kind of cross-industry deal that usually denotes the top of the market, most famously in the case of the AOL-Time Warner merger of 2000.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "denotes" when you want to clearly and precisely indicate what a specific term, symbol, or sign represents. It's particularly useful in academic and technical writing where clarity is essential.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "denotes", which refers to the literal meaning, with "connotes", which refers to the associated or implied meanings. For example, the word "home" denotes a place of residence, but connotes feelings of comfort and security.

Linguistic Context

The word "denotes" functions as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense of the verb "denote." According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly used to indicate that something represents or refers to something else. Examples from Ludwig show it being used to define terms and symbols across various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "denotes" is a verb used to indicate that a word, symbol, or sign represents something specific. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and most commonly found in academic and technical writing, where precision is key. It's important to differentiate "denotes" from "connotes", focusing on literal versus implied meanings. The phrase is "Very common", with a primary register that is "Formal and Scientific". Common usage includes sources such as The Economist, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

signifies

Implies a more direct representation or symbolic meaning.

indicates

Suggests a pointing or directional reference.

represents

Emphasizes the act of standing in place of something else.

symbolizes

Highlights the symbolic nature of the representation.

expresses

Focuses on the communication of a particular idea or concept.

implies

Suggests a meaning that is not directly stated but can be inferred.

refers to

Indicates a direct connection or association with something.

stands for

Implies a shorthand or abbreviation representing a larger concept.

designates

Suggests a formal or official naming or identification.

conveys

Focuses on the act of transferring a meaning or idea.

FAQs

How to use "denotes" in a sentence?

Use "denotes" to indicate what a word, symbol, or sign represents. For example, "In set theory, the symbol ∪ "represents" the union of two sets."

What can I say instead of "denotes"?

You can use alternatives like "indicates", ""represents"", or "signifies" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "denotes" or "connotes"?

"Denotes" refers to the literal or explicit meaning of a word, while "connotes" refers to the implied or associated meanings. Use "denotes" when you want to be precise about what something directly represents.

What's the difference between "denotes" and "implies"?

"Denotes" is used to specify the direct meaning of a term, while "implies" suggests a meaning that is not explicitly stated. For example, a red light "denotes" that you must stop, while a frown might "implies" someone is unhappy.