note

American  

[noht] / noʊt /

noun

• notes
  plural

1. a brief record of something written down to assist the memory or for future reference.

   Synonyms:

   minute, memorandum

2. notes, a record or outline of a speech, statement, testimony, etc., or of one's impressions of something.

3. an explanatory or critical comment, or a reference to some authority quoted, appended to a passage in a book or the like.

   a note on the origin of the phrase.

   Synonyms:

   annotation, commentary

4. a brief written or printed statement giving particulars or information.

5. Library Science. additional information about a work, such as its special series or some other significant identification, included on the library catalog entry.

6. a short, informal letter.

   a thank-you note.

7. a formal diplomatic or official communication in writing.

   a note delivered by the ambassador.

8. a paper acknowledging a debt and promising payment; promissory note.

9. a certificate, as of a government or a bank, accepted as money.

   Synonyms:

   bill

10. eminence, distinction, or reputation.

    a man of note.

    Synonyms:

    name, renown, fame, celebrity, repute

11. importance or consequence.

    few events of particular note.

12. notice, observation, or heed.

    to take note of warning signs; to be worthy of note.

13. a characteristic or distinguishing feature.

    a note of whimsy in the design of the house.

14. a mark, quality, or indication of something, especially as a submerged but ubiquitous element.

    There was just a note of bitterness in his films.

15. a characteristic way of speaking or thinking.

    His critics had begun to change their note.

16. a signal, announcement, or intimation.

    a note of warning in her voice.

17. Music.

    1. a sign or character used to represent a tone, its position and form indicating the pitch and duration of the tone.

    2. a key, as of a piano.

18. a tone sounded on a musical instrument.

19. a musical sound or tone.

20. a melody, tune, or song.

21. a sound of musical quality, as one uttered by a bird.

    attentive to the thrush's note.

22. any call, cry, or sound of a bird, fowl, etc.

23. a new or unexpected element in a situation.

24. a mark or sign, as of punctuation, used in writing or printing.

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verb (used with object)

• notes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• noted,
  past participle,  past
• noting
  present participle

1. to write or mark down briefly; make a memorandum of.

   to note the places of interest.

   Synonyms:

   record, register

2. to make particular mention of in a writing.

   She noted their extra efforts in her report.

3. to annotate.

4. to observe carefully; give attention or heed to.

   Note the fine brushwork in this painting.

5. to take notice of; perceive.

   We noted his concern at the announcement.

   Synonyms:

   remark, spot, see

6. to set down in or furnish with musical notes.

7. to indicate or designate; signify; denote.

   Synonyms:

   mention

idioms

1. compare notes, to exchange views, ideas, or impressions.

   The returning tourists were sitting on the sun deck comparing notes.

note British  

/ nəʊt /

noun

1. a brief summary or record in writing, esp a jotting for future reference

2. a brief letter, usually of an informal nature

3. a formal written communication, esp from one government to another

4. a short written statement giving any kind of information

5. a critical comment, explanatory statement, or reference in the text of a book, often preceded by a number

6. short for banknote

7. a characteristic element or atmosphere

   a note of sarcasm

8. a distinctive vocal sound, as of a species of bird or animal

   the note of the nightingale

9. any of a series of graphic signs representing a musical sound whose pitch is indicated by position on the stave and whose duration is indicated by the sign's shape

10. Also called (esp US and Canadian): tone.  a musical sound of definite fundamental frequency or pitch

11. a key on a piano, organ, etc

12. a sound, as from a musical instrument, used as a signal or warning

    the note to retreat was sounded

13. short for promissory note

14. archaic a tune or melody

15. 1. distinguished or famous

       an athlete of note

    2. worth noticing or paying attention to; important

       nothing of note

16. to behave appropriately

17. to behave inappropriately

18. (often foll by of) to observe carefully; pay close attention (to)

---

verb

1. to notice; perceive

   he noted that there was a man in the shadows

2. to pay close attention to; observe

   they noted every movement

3. to make a written note or memorandum of

   she noted the date in her diary

4. to make particular mention of; remark upon

   I note that you do not wear shoes

5. to write down (music, a melody, etc) in notes

6. to take (an unpaid or dishonoured bill of exchange) to a notary public to re-present the bill and if it is still unaccepted or unpaid to note the circumstances in a register See protest

7. a less common word for annotate

note More Idioms  

1. see bread and butter letter (note); compare notes; make a note of; of note; strike the right note; take note; take notes.

---

Synonym Usage

See remark.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noter
  noun
• prenote
  noun
• subnote
  noun
• undernote
  noun
• noteless
  adjective
• unnoting
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• notes
  plural

Participles

• noting
  present
• noted
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• note
  simple
• notes
  simple
• have noted
  perfect
• has noted
  perfect
• am noting
  progressive
• are noting
  progressive
• is noting
  progressive
• have been noting
  perfect progressive
• has been noting
  perfect progressive

Past

• noted
  simple
• had noted
  perfect
• was noting
  progressive
• were noting
  progressive
• had been noting
  perfect progressive

Future

• will note
  simple
• will have noted
  perfect
• will be noting
  progressive
• will have been noting
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of note

First recorded in 1175–1225; (for the noun) Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin nota “sign for musical tone,” in Latin: “mark, sign, lettering”; verb derivative of the noun

Explanation

A note is a very short piece of writing. You might write a note to your sister on the back of your grocery list, or jot down a quick note reminding yourself to call your grandmother later. You might slip a love note under a door, or leave your cat sitter a note explaining how much to feed Fluffy. Other notes are taken during lectures or written in notebooks by journalists during interviews. You can also make a mental note, paying particular attention to something in the hopes that you'll remember it later. The Old French noter, "indicate or write down," comes from the Latin root notare, "to mark or note," from nota, "mark."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

note notes noted noting

However, in commentary published at the end of last week, Snider and colleagues also note that the “impact of AI adoption on corporate earnings still appears narrow.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026

After more than a decade of rapid growth, China’s beauty industry is entering a period of consolidation, Jefferies analysts wrote in a recent note.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

Katy was relieved and put a note on the calendar.

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

He envisions going out on a high note.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

A handwritten note surreptitiously passed to me in the street; a meeting with a child; a walk through the city; a heart filled with the knowledge that I have helped to save another person’s life.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

“Inspired by Balinese architecture and thoughtfully reimagined through a distinctly Californian lens, the residence celebrates natural materials, soaring timber ceilings, expansive walls of glass, and raw, textured stone,” the listing description notes.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

The company says detailed engineering design tops 95% and procurement exceeds 80%, and notes that mechanical completion remains on target for late 2027.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

She notes that the team's findings leave more open questions than answers; future projects, she says, might look at the dynamics of the evolution of the moon-destruction and recreation process.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

Age gaps compound the imbalance, Nyathi notes, down to the most intimate negotiations.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

A soldier lifted a golden horn to his mouth and blew three high notes.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

"In the collision, the baryon junction gets held behind, and the quarks continue on," he noted.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026

The federal government, like many US employers, does not offer paid parental leave, Jacobs noted.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

Terekh noted down what times each day the Russians exchanged fire with Ukrainian troops, trying to find the best time to escape.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

Some bars, Infante noted, are already experimenting with lower-priced cocktails and expanded happy hours after discovering there may simply be a ceiling to what customers will pay for a drink.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

“I never in my life exchanged a word with any person on the subject,” he noted, “till I found my name brought forward generally, in competition with that of Mr. Adams.”

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

It’s worth noting that the IEA, like other agencies such as the U.S.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 16, 2026

The Telegraph also includes the news of Arday's death, noting that his memoir is due to be published in the UK later in August.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

"Sadly, a 41-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene," it added, noting his next-of-kin had been informed.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

A CEO’s most important task is simply making sure the business survives, he said, noting the challenges of the current era: trade wars and disrupted supplies of energy and chips.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Once your starpost arrives in the Stariary, you will receive a message noting the coordinates of the Level Ones’ Stardust Pier and the Institute’s location this year.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• indicate
• mention
• notice
• remark
• see
• view
• write