Denotative meaning refers to the literal, dictionary definition of a word. A word can have multiple denotative meanings, depending on its context. For example, the word "bank" can mean:
* A financial institution: "I deposited my paycheck at the bank."
* The edge of a river: "We sat on the bank of the river and watched the sunset."
Connotative meaning refers to the emotional associations or implications of a word. A word can have multiple connotative meanings, depending on the speaker, the context, and the audience. For example, the word "home" can have different connotations for different people. For some, it might evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and security, while for others, it might bring up feelings of loneliness or isolation.
So, while a word may have a primary denotative meaning, it can also have multiple connotative meanings, and the choice of which meaning is intended will depend on the context.