Top Definitions
Synonyms
Quiz
Related Content
Examples
British
Idioms And Phrases

note

[ noht ]

/ noʊt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: note / noted / notes / noting on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

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.

a brief written or printed statement giving particulars or information.

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

a short, informal letter: a thank-you note.

a formal diplomatic or official communication in writing: a note delivered by the ambassador.

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

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

eminence, distinction, or reputation: a man of note.

importance or consequence: few events of particular note.

notice, observation, or heed: to take note of warning signs; to be worthy of note.

a characteristic or distinguishing feature: a note of whimsy in the design of the house.

a mark, quality, or indication of something, especially as a submerged but ubiquitous element: There was just a note of bitterness in his films.

a characteristic way of speaking or thinking: His critics had begun to change their note.

a signal, announcement, or intimation: a note of warning in her voice.

Music.

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

a tone sounded on a musical instrument.

a musical sound or tone.

a melody, tune, or song.

a sound of musical quality, as one uttered by a bird: attentive to the thrush's note.

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

a new or unexpected element in a situation.

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

verb (used with object), not·ed, not·ing.

to write or mark down briefly; make a memorandum of: to note the places of interest.

to make particular mention of in a writing: She noted their extra efforts in her report.

to observe carefully; give attention or heed to: Note the fine brushwork in this painting.

to take notice of; perceive: We noted his concern at the announcement.

to set down in or furnish with musical notes.

to indicate or designate; signify; denote.

OTHER WORDS FOR note

1 memorandum, minute.

3 commentary, annotation.

9 bill.

10 repute, celebrity, fame, renown, name.

25 register, record.

29 see, spot, remark.

See synonyms for note on Thesaurus.com

VIDEO FOR NOTE

Why Does The Word "Note" Have 31 Definitions?

"Note" isn't a very noteworthy word at first glance ... but it is one very small word that describes a lot of common things.

MORE VIDEOS FROM DICTIONARY.COM

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about note

compare notes, to exchange views, ideas, or impressions: The returning tourists were sitting on the sun deck comparing notes.

Origin of note

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English (<Old French ) <Medieval Latin nota sign for musical tone, Latin: mark, sign, lettering; (v.) Middle English noten<Old French noter to mark <Latin notāre, derivative of the noun

synonym study for note

3. See remark.

OTHER WORDS FROM note

noter, nounpre·note, noun, verb (used with object), pre·not·ed, pre·not·ing.subnote, nounun·der·note, noun

un·not·ing, adjective

Words nearby note

notch effect, notchy, NOT circuit, not cricket, not done, note, notebook, notebook computer, note broker, Noteć, notecase

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use note in a sentence

One morning just before sunup, I compared notes with one of our neighbors.
A Maui vacation in three acts|Alex Pulaski|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
Cline allegedly passed tellers notes that implied that Cline had a weapon.
Previously convicted bank robber allegedly hits new bank while under covert surveillance, gets arrested|Dan Morse|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
That’s when he took note of all the trash, which “really started bothering me,” said Adams, who grew up in Bethesda.
The ‘garbage guy’ walks 12 miles a day around D.C. picking up trash: ‘I’ll pick up pretty much anything.’|Sydney Page|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
On the Republican side, senators showed little emotion — but all paid close attention, most turning their heads away only occasionally to take notes.
House impeachment managers emphasize the danger to Pence and other top officials in harrowing retelling of Jan. 6 attack|Amy Gardner, Karoun Demirjian, Felicia Sonmez, Paul Kane|February 11, 2021|Washington Post

Tech entrepreneurs have been taking note of the efficiency and popularity of the two-wheelers.
Can Motorbike Taxis Fix Africa’s E-commerce Problem?|Charu Kasturi|February 10, 2021|Ozy
An ace comedic turn that, in lesser hands, would come off as one-note.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’|Marlow Stern|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Note: UNICOR uses its inmates for everything from call center operators to human demolishers of old computers.
How a ‘Real Housewife’ Survives Prison: ‘I Don’t See [Teresa Giudice] Having a Cakewalk Here’|Michael Howard|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Now on a lighter note, with Selma, you did get Oprah to throw a mean haymaker.
Ava DuVernay on ‘Selma,’ the Racist Sony Emails, and Making Golden Globes History|Marlow Stern|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Note: This piece was updated to reflect that Mrs. Landingham died while Aaron Sorkin was still writing The West Wing.
'The Newsroom' Ended As It Began: Weird, Controversial, and Noble|Kevin Fallon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
From this louche improbable source pours music of sublime beauty without one false note.
Why Can’t Movies Capture Genius?|Clive Irving|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Accordingly, the question "How far does the note issue under the new system seem likely to prove an elastic one?"
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
He used to walk through the park, and note with pleasure the care that his father bestowed on the gigantic property.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Which latter circumstance he begged Mr. Perker to note, with a glowing countenance and many marks of indignation.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
Of Liszt the first part of this is not true, for if he strikes a wrong note it is simply because he chooses to be careless.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
And it is small consolation to me to note that most people's minds seem to be no better done than mine.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

British Dictionary definitions for note

note

/ (nəʊt) /

noun

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

a brief letter, usually of an informal nature

a formal written communication, esp from one government to another

a short written statement giving any kind of information

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

short for banknote

a characteristic element or atmospherea note of sarcasm

a distinctive vocal sound, as of a species of bird or animalthe note of the nightingale

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

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

a key on a piano, organ, etc

a sound, as from a musical instrument, used as a signal or warningthe note to retreat was sounded

short for promissory note

archaic, or poetic a tune or melody

of note

distinguished or famousan athlete of note
worth noticing or paying attention to; importantnothing of note

strike the right note to behave appropriately

strike a false note to behave inappropriately

take note (often foll by of) to observe carefully; pay close attention (to)

verb (tr; may take a clause as object)

to notice; perceivehe noted that there was a man in the shadows

to pay close attention to; observethey noted every movement

to make a written note or memorandum ofshe noted the date in her diary

to make particular mention of; remark uponI note that you do not wear shoes

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

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 registerSee protest (def. 12)

a less common word for annotate

See also notes

Derived forms of note

noteless, adjective

Word Origin for note

C13: via Old French from Latin nota sign, indication

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with note

note

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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.