notice
Americannoun
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an announcement or intimation of something impending; warning.
a day's notice.
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a note, placard, or the like conveying information or a warning.
to post a notice about the fire laws.
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information or warning of something, especially for wide attention.
to give notice of one's departure.
- Synonyms:
- announcement, notification, news, advice
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a notification of the termination, at a specified time, of an agreement, as for renting or employment, given by one of the parties to the agreement.
The sales manager suddenly gave notice and headed for Acapulco.
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observation, perception, attention, or heed.
a book worthy of notice.
- Synonyms:
- cognizance, note
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interested or favorable attention.
to take notice of an unusual feature in the design of a building.
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critical attention, appraisal, or evaluation.
Only a few of the entries were singled out for notice.
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a brief written review or critique, as of a newly published book; review.
The notices of the play were mostly favorable.
verb (used with object)
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to pay attention to or take notice of.
Did you notice her hat?
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to perceive; become aware of.
Did you notice the anger in his voice?
- Synonyms:
- remark, mark, note, understand, recognize, discriminate, distinguish, descry
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to acknowledge acquaintance with.
She noticed him merely with a nod.
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to mention or refer to; point out.
a circumstance that was noticed in an earlier chapter.
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to give notice to; serve with a notice.
to notice a person that his taxes are overdue.
noun
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the act of perceiving; observation; attention
to escape notice
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to pay attention; attend
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to ignore or disregard
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information about a future event; warning; announcement
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a displayed placard or announcement giving information
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advance notification of intention to end an arrangement, contract, etc, as of renting or employment (esp in the phrase give notice )
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with notification only a little in advance
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with notification only two hours in advance
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dismissal from employment
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favourable, interested, or polite attention
she was beneath his notice
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a theatrical or literary review
the play received very good notices
verb
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to become conscious or aware of; perceive; note
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to point out or remark upon
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to pay polite or interested attention to
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to recognize or acknowledge (an acquaintance)
Related Words
Notice, discern, perceive imply becoming aware of, and paying attention to, something. To notice is to become aware of something that has caught one's attention: to notice a newspaper headline; to notice a road sign. Discern suggests distinguishing (sometimes with difficulty) and recognizing a thing for what it is, discriminating it from its surroundings: In spite of the fog, we finally discerned the outline of the harbor. Perceive, often used as a formal substitute for see or notice, may convey also the idea of understanding meanings and implications: After examining the evidence he perceived its significance.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of notice
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin nōtitia “a knowing, a being known,” derivative of nōtus known ( see notify)
Explanation
The word notice has to do with paying attention to something. For example, you usually notice a flashing light, and an overdue bill might come with the word "NOTICE" written on it to make sure you see it. The Latin nōtitia, a noun meaning "something known," was the ancestor of notice. Use the verb to mean “to see or point out" and the noun to mean "formal warning." When you give “advance notice,” you let someone know early or ahead of time. In case you haven't noticed, the notice posted on your door says you've been promoted and should move to the corner office. No doubt because of your attention to detail.
Vocabulary lists containing notice
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
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"The Challenge"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“They receive no advance notice of trading activity and provide no input regarding investment decisions or portfolio management.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
If Saints are removed at such short notice it creates a catalogue of logistical hurdles.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
"She is directed to appear before the session hall of the Senate of the Philippines upon notice," Cayetano added.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
Walking the streets of Kansas City, Houston, Miami and New York it is hard not to notice a World Cup is coming.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
I’d been too busy with the dog to even notice him.
From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
