What term refers to the meanings of words?

The term that refers to the meanings of words is semantics. Semantics is the branch of linguistics that studies the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences. It is focused on understanding how language conveys meaning, including the meanings of individual words in context as well as how these meanings combine in larger units of language.

Understanding semantics is critical for language learners, as it helps them grasp nuances in vocabulary and comprehend how different words can convey different meanings depending on their usage. Through semantics, learners can better interpret and express their thoughts accurately in a new language.

Other terms mentioned relate to different aspects of language. For example, connotation involves the emotional or cultural associations of a word beyond its literal meaning, while phoneme refers to the smallest unit of sound that can differentiate meaning in a language. Pragmatics, on the other hand, deals with the context in which language is used and how it affects meaning. Each of these concepts is important in language study, but they do not specifically define the meanings of words in the same direct way that semantics does.