note

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR note 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 annotate.

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.

Idioms

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

Related formsnot·er, nounpre·note, noun, verb (used with object), pre·not·ed, pre·not·ing.sub·note, nounun·der·note, nounun·not·ing, adjective

Synonyms for note

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR note ON THESAURUS.COM

1. memorandum, minute. 3. commentary, annotation. 9. bill. 10. repute, celebrity, fame, renown, name. 25. register, record. 29. see, spot, remark. 31. mention.

Synonym study

3. See remark.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for notes

summary, record, synopsis, draft, report, annotation, marginalia

Examples from the Web for notes

Contemporary Examples of notes

“The sensation these objects presented receded as their cost increased,” notes Rabinowitz.
How Pulp Fiction Saved Literature
Wendy Smith
January 8, 2015
“The origin of Brokpas is lost in antiquity,” a research article from the University of Delhi notes.
The Himalayas’ Hidden Aryans
Nina Strochlic
January 3, 2015
Under the current president and his predecessor, Jett notes, the ambassadorship of Belize has gone to college roommates.
U.S. Embassies Have Always Been for Sale
William O’Connor
January 2, 2015
As Randy notes, “Maybe there is a value in shining a light on this and asking the questions.”
Your Husband Is Definitely Gay: TLC’s Painful Portrait of Mormonism
Samantha Allen
January 1, 2015
Lawler notes that in the Zoroastrian religion of the Persians, the rooster was of the utmost importance.
The History of the Chicken: How This Humble Bird Saved Humanity
William O’Connor
December 27, 2014

Historical Examples of notes

He notes the following as the usual essential concomitants: 1.
The Dramatic Values in Plautus
Wilton Wallace Blancke
Only the maid answered the ringing of the telephone, and his notes were seemingly unheeded.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
His notes on special words and on the construction of sentences are often very interesting.
Apu Ollantay
Anonymous
He opened the envelope, and inside it were ten notes for ten pounds each.
The Foolish Lovers
St. John G. Ervine
Only then she peeped in at the amount, drawing the notes out for the purpose.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for notes

notes

pl n

short descriptive or summarized jottings taken down for future reference

a record of impressions, reflections, etc, esp as a literary form

NOTES

abbreviation for

natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery, a surgical technique for operating on internal organs through bodily orifices

note

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

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

Word Origin and History for notes

note

c.1300, "a song, music, instrumental music; a musical note," from Latin nota "letter, character, note," originally "a mark, sign, means of recognition," which is perhaps related to notus, past participle of noscere (Old Latin *gnoscere) "to know" (see know). Meaning "notice, attention, reputation" is early 14c. Meaning "brief writing" is from 1540s.

note

c.1200, "observe, take mental note of, mark carefully," from Old French noter "indicate, designate; take note of, write down," from Latin notare "to mark, to note, to make a note," from nota "mark, sign, note, character, letter" (see note (n.)). Meaning "to set in writing" is from early 14c. Related: Noted; noting.

Idioms and Phrases with notes

note

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