denote

denote — verb

1. to work as a clear signal of something, showing its presence, nature, or meaning

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to work as a clear signal of something, showing its presence, nature, or meaning according to an established rule or system — for example, a colour on a map that indicates a type of land, or a physical feature that reveals someone's condition.

Example

On the hiking map, blue triangles denote campsites along the trail.

denote + noun phrase — symbols on a map

In many cultures, offering a guest a cup of tea denotes hospitality and warmth.

denote + abstract noun — social meaning

Common collocations
  • denote the presence of
  • denote status
  • denote ownership
  • often denotes
  • traditionally denotes
Synonyms
  • indicate

    broader and more everyday; can be used for people's gestures, while 'denote' is more for systems

  • signify

    slightly more formal; often used for implicit or deeper meaning

  • represent

    focuses on standing for something in a system rather than being a sign of it

  • stand for

    more informal; used mainly for abbreviations and symbols

Grammar Patterns

denote + noun phrase

denote + that-clause

Usage Note

This is the broadest and most common sense of 'denote'. It connects a visible sign, symbol, or feature to what it represents. The subject is often a symbol, colour, object, or physical sign rather than a person.

Common Mistakes

This sign denotes the hospital is nearby.
This sign denotes that the hospital is nearby.
When followed by a clause, 'that' is usually needed.
She denoted her agreement by nodding.
She indicated her agreement by nodding.
'Denote' is rarely used for people's deliberate actions; use 'indicate' or 'show' instead.

2. to be the exact meaning of a word, letter, or symbol in a particular language or

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to be the exact meaning of a word, letter, or symbol in a particular language or system — used when explaining what a term refers to in a precise or technical sense.

Example

In a chemistry lab, the symbol H₂O on a bottle denotes pure water.

denote + noun phrase — scientific symbol meaning

The prefix 'un-' in English denotes a reversal or negation of the base word.

Common collocations
  • denote a specific meaning
  • denote the concept of
  • denote a category
  • used to denote
Synonyms
  • mean

    more common in everyday speech; 'denote' is more formal and precise

  • refer to

    focuses on what a term points to rather than what it means

  • signify

    can be used for both literal meaning and deeper significance

Grammar Patterns

denote + noun phrase

denote + that-clause

Usage Note

This sense focuses on the literal or technical meaning of words and symbols rather than associated feelings (which would be 'connote'). It is common in academic, scientific, and technical writing.

Common Mistakes

The word 'home' denotes warmth and safety.
The word 'home' denotes the place where one lives; it connotes warmth and safety.
'Denote' is for literal meaning; 'connote' is for associated feelings.
Red traffic lights denote to stop.
Red traffic lights denote that drivers must stop.
A clause after 'denote' needs 'that'.

3. to formally or officially make something clear or known — used especially in for

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to formally or officially make something clear or known — used especially in formal writing or announcements to state a position, intention, or change.

Example

The ambassador's statement denoted a significant shift in foreign policy.

denote + noun phrase — formal announcement

The committee's final report denoted a complete rejection of the proposed changes.

Common collocations
  • denote a change in
  • denote an intention to
  • denote a willingness to
  • publicly denote
Synonyms
  • announce

    more common and direct; used in both formal and informal contexts

  • declare

    stronger and more emphatic; often used for public statements

  • indicate

    softer and broader; suggests something is made known without being explicitly stated

Grammar Patterns

denote + noun phrase

denote + that-clause

Usage Note

This sense is formal and somewhat dated in modern English. In everyday contexts, 'indicate', 'announce', or 'state' are more natural. It survives mainly in formal written reports, official statements, and academic prose.

Common Mistakes

She denoted that she was tired.
She indicated that she was tired.
'Denote' is too formal for everyday personal situations.

Word family

  • denotation
    nounC1
  • denotative
    adjectiveC1
  • connotation
    nounB2
  • connote
    verbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Denote', 'indicate', 'signify', 'represent', and 'stand for' all connect one thing to another, but they differ in formality, precision, and typical use. 'Denote' suggests a fixed, conventional relationship between a sign and its meaning — such as a symbol on a map or a word in a technical system. 'Indicate' is broader and more flexible: a person can indicate something by pointing or speaking, whereas 'denote' is rarely used for people's deliberate actions. 'Signify' is slightly more formal than 'denote' and often carries a sense of deeper or implicit meaning — a gesture can signify respect without being a fixed symbol. 'Represent' focuses on standing for something in a representative capacity, like a flag representing a country, which makes it weaker in precision than 'denote'. 'Stand for' is the most informal of the group and commonly appears in everyday speech for abbreviations ('DIY stands for do it yourself'). For a learner, choosing between these words depends on register: use 'denote' in technical and academic writing, 'indicate' for everyday observations, 'signify' for deeper meaning, 'represent' for standing in for something, and 'stand for' in casual conversation about abbreviations.

denote ↗indicate ↗signify ↗represent ↗stand for ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • symbol denotes
  • term denotes
  • sign denotes
  • colour denotes
  • mark denotes

Adverbs

  • generally denote
  • commonly denote
  • traditionally denote
  • clearly denote
  • usually denote

Phrases

  • is used to denote
  • is said to denote
  • can denote
  • may denote
  • serve to denote

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Denote' comes from the Latin 'denotare', which combines 'de-' (meaning 'away' or 'completely') and 'notare' ('to mark or note'). The original idea was 'to mark out' or 'to indicate by marking'. It entered English in the late 1500s through French and was originally used in the sense of 'to indicate or point out'. Over time it developed its modern meaning of 'to be a sign or symbol for something'.