Which word means 'to indicate or designate'?

• A. depict
• B. derive
• C. denote
• D. initiate

Answer: (C)

Understanding which verb means to indicate or designate. Denote is used when you want to mark or name something in a precise or formal way, often with a sign, symbol, or label. It’s the word you’d use in academic writing when a term or symbol stands for or designates a particular concept, category, or item. For example, The symbol denotes the variable x, or The term denotes the boundary of the city. This differs from depict, which is about showing or portraying something, usually visually; derive, which means to obtain or originate from something; and initiate, which means to start or begin. So denote is the best fit because it directly expresses marking or designating.