Explain the difference between the denotation and connotation of a word.

Denotation is the literal meaning of the word, as it is given in the dictionary, and its meaning can not be changed, it is related to concepts, objects, phenomena, etc. described in a particular word.

Connotations represent overtones or references, which a particular word may have, depending on the concept, situation and purpose, depends on the circumstances in which it applies.

The difference is that a particular word with a precisely defined meaning (denotation) can have different connotations depending on what it wants to achieve by connotation of a particular unified meaning.

to not go near anything hot