note

SayNOHT/noʊt/UK/nəʊt/

Verbnotes, noting, noted

Noun pluralnotes

29 meanings of note

Practice

1
verbtransitive
To mention something when you speak or write, often just quickly in passing.
Our teacher noted that the test would be on Friday, not Thursday.
I should note that the pool is closed on Mondays.
UsageSay a report notes that something is true.
Similarmention, observe, remark, state
Note
2
nouncountable or uncountable
A short bit of writing you make to help yourself remember something.
Like a string tied around your finger so you don't forget.
He wrote a quick note to himself so he wouldn't forget the meeting.
He scribbled a few notes before the meeting started.
UsageSay make a note or take notes.
Similarmemo, reminder, jotting
3
short letternouncountable or uncountable
A short, informal letter written to someone.
Like a quick text message, but written by hand on paper.
She sent her friend a little note to say thank you.
He found a sweet note tucked under his door.
UsageSay leave a note or send a note.
Similarmessage, letter, line
4
nouncountable or uncountable
A short comment written next to a text to explain it.
The teacher wrote a note in the margin of my essay.
I added a few notes to explain the hard words.
Similarannotation, comment, gloss, footnote
5
take noticeverbtransitive
To notice something carefully and pay attention to it.
Please note the time of your appointment.
I noted the change in her voice right away.
UsageLetters and signs often say Please note.
Similarobserve, notice, heed, mark
Oppositeignore, overlook, disregard
Note
6
musical soundnouncountable or uncountable
A single sound in music, or the sign written for it on paper, or the piano key that plays it.
Like one key pressed on a piano: a single sound on its own.
She sang the first note perfectly.
The high notes were hard for him to reach.
UsageSingers hit or miss a note.
Similartone
Note
7
verbtransitive
To write something down so you can remember it later.
The nurse noted his temperature on the chart.
Remember to note the time of each meal in your diary.
UsageSay note down a number or a time.
Similarrecord, log, register, document
8
distinctionnoununcountable
Fame or importance that makes someone or something stand out.
She is a writer of great note in her country.
Nothing of note happened all week.
UsageSay nothing of note for nothing important.
Similardistinction, eminence, renown, importance, consequence
Note
9
noununcountable
Careful attention or notice given to something.
Take note of the exit doors when you come in.
He took no note of the warning and kept going.
UsageSay take note of something.
Similarnotice, heed, account
Note
10
nouncountable
One of the different smells or tastes you can notice in a perfume, wine, food, or drink.
This coffee has a nice note of chocolate.
I can smell notes of lemon and rose in this perfume.
UsageSay notes of lemon or chocolate.
Similarhint, touch, suggestion
Note
11
paper moneynouncountable or uncountable
A piece of printed money, made of paper or plastic, used to pay for things.
Like a coin, but made of paper instead of metal.
He pulled a folded note out of his wallet.
She counted the notes before handing them over.
UsageIn the US and Canada, people say bill: a five-dollar bill.
Similarbill
12
academic papernouncountable or uncountable
A short academic paper or piece of writing on a subject.
Like a short report that adds to a bigger conversation.
She published a short note on medieval trade routes.
Her short note in the journal described a new kind of beetle.
Similarpaper, article

Less common meanings

13
nounobsoletecountable or uncountable
News or information given to someone.
Note
14
debt papernouncountable or uncountable
A signed paper that promises to pay back money you owe.
Like a written promise that says you will pay the money back.
He signed a note promising to repay the loan within a year.
The bank kept the note until the debt was paid off.
Similarbond
Note
15
bird callnouncountable or uncountable
The sound a bird makes when it sings or calls.
Like the special sound each bird makes, the way a dog has its own bark.
The robin's clear note carried across the quiet garden.
Each bird in the dawn chorus added its own note.
Similarcall, chirp, song, trill
Note
16
nouncountable or uncountable
A feature or sign that helps you know what something is.
Kindness was the clearest note of her character.
There was a note of worry in her voice when she called.
UsageSay a note of worry or sadness in someone's voice.
Similarhallmark, characteristic, feature, trait, mark
Note
17
diplomatic letternouncountable or uncountable
An official written message sent between governments.
The embassy delivered a formal note of protest to the foreign ministry.
The government sent a note of protest to its neighbor.
UsageSay a government sent a note of protest.
Similarmemorandum, dispatch, missive
18
paper sizenouncountable or uncountable
A small size for sheets of writing paper, used for letters and short messages.
Her writing paper comes in two sizes, letter and note.
She bought a box of note-size cards for her thank-you messages.
19
denoteverbtransitive
To be a sign for something, or to stand for it.
Similardenote, signify, indicate, designate, mark
Note
20
nouncountable or uncountable
A mark or sign used to point something out or to prove it.
Similarmark, sign, token, marker
21
write in marginsverbtransitive
To add short comments to a text to explain it.
Similarannotate, gloss
22
rhythm gamenouncountable or uncountable
In rhythm games, a mark a player must hit at the right time.
Like catching a ball the moment it reaches your hands.
In the game, the notes came down the screen faster and faster.
A single missed note broke his combo.
Note
23
write musicverbtransitive
To write down music using musical signs.
Similartranscribe, notate
24
protest a billverbtransitive
To officially record on a bill that someone has refused to accept it or pay it.
Like an official stamp showing a delivery was refused.
The notary noted the unpaid bill that morning.
They asked a notary to note the rejected draft.
Note
25
nounobsoletecountable or uncountable
A list of items or costs, like a bill or account.
Heere is now the Smithes note, for Shooing, / And Plough-Irons.
c. 1596, William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth,. Epilogue.”Here, note means a list of costs, like a bill.
Note
26
nounobsoletecountable or uncountable
A sign or mark of shame.
That my poſteritie ſham’d with the note / Shall curſe my bones, and hold it for no ſinne, / To wiſh that I their father had not beene.
1594, William Shakespeare, Lucrece (First Quarto)Here, note means a mark of shame on the family.
Once more, the more to aggrauate the note, With a foule Traitors name ſtuffe I thy throte, And wiſh (ſo pleaſe my Soueraigne) ere I moue, What my tong ſpeaks, my right drawn ſword may proue
1595, William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Richard the Second”Here, note means a mark of shame, calling someone a traitor.
Note
27
daily tasksnoundialectalIrelandNorthern EnglandScotlandUKuncountable
In some British dialects, work or a duty that must be done.
And have thou that for thy note !
1838, William Marriott, “The Deluge”Here, note means your work or the thing you must do.
Thou canst do thy note; that have I espied.
1962, Arthur C. Cawley, EverymanHere, note means work or duty, so you can do your work.
Similarwork, business, duty
Note
28
noundialectalIrelandNorthern EnglandScotlandUKuncountable
In some British dialects, the milk a cow or sow gives, or the time it gives the most.
A cow is said to be in note when she is in milk.
1888, S. O. Addy Gloss, Words SheffieldHere, in note means giving a lot of milk.
For sale, a Kerry cow, five years old, at her note in May.
1875, Paper, BelfastHere, at her note means at the time she gives the most milk.
Similarmilk
Note
29
criticismnouncountable or uncountable
A comment that judges or criticizes something.
After the rehearsal, the director gave one final note to the lead actor.
The teacher's notes on the draft were harsh but fair.
UsageSay someone gave you notes on your work.
Similarcomment, criticism, critique, remark, feedback

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of note apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–26, 29

It comes from Latin nota, meaning a mark or sign. This came into English through Old English and Old French.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

The word ultimately derives from Latin nota. en.wiktionary.org
Latin nota means a mark or sign. en.wiktionary.org
Old English and Old French both transmitted the Latin word into English. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 27–28

It comes from an old word meaning "use" or "profit," going back through Old English notu to Proto-Germanic and an ancient root meaning "to acquire or make use of."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

This sense comes from an older word meaning use or profit. en.wiktionary.org
Its ancestry goes through Old English notu to Proto-Germanic. en.wiktionary.org
Its ultimate reconstructed root means to acquire or make use of. en.wiktionary.org