What term describes the objective or literal meaning of a word?

• A. Connotative
• B. Ambiguous
• C. Denotative
• D. Abstract

Answer: (C)

The term that describes the objective or literal meaning of a word is denotative. This definition refers to the specific, dictionary-defined meaning that a word holds, without any emotional associations or contextual nuances that might be attached to it. When someone refers to the denotative meaning, they are focused on the word as it is defined in formal language, providing clarity and precision in communication.

In contrast, connotative meaning encompasses the emotional or cultural associations that a word may carry beyond its literal definition, while ambiguous refers to situations where a term or phrase may be interpreted in more than one way. Abstract, on the other hand, pertains to concepts that are not tangible or concrete. Therefore, denotative is the appropriate choice for describing the literal meaning of a word.