What term means the literal, dictionary definition of a word?

• A. Connotation
• B. Dialogue
• C. Denotation
• D. Drama

Answer: (C)

The term that means the literal, dictionary definition of a word is denotation. Denotation is the explicit, primary meaning you would find in a dictionary—the objective reference of the word. It’s the basic, factual sense without adding any emotions or associations. For example, the denotation of a word like “home” is the place where someone lives, while its connotations might include warmth, safety, and family ties. Connotation, by contrast, refers to the ideas and feelings a word evokes beyond its literal meaning. The other options don’t fit because they aren’t about the dictionary meaning or literal sense of a word.