verb
denote
dih-NOHT
verb
1
To be a sign or indication of something.
"A red flag on the beach denotes dangerous swimming conditions."
"A high fever can denote a serious infection."
2
To mean or represent something literally, as a word or symbol does.
"In this context, the term denotes a specific legal category."
How to Use Denote
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo indicate or stand for something.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with connote, which refers to an implied or associated meaning rather than the literal one.
Easily confused with
connote
Word Forms
denoted past tense, denotes singular
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A red flag on the beach _____ dangerous swimming conditions.
Etymology
From Latin denotare, from de- ("thoroughly") plus notare ("to mark").