# note

Pronunciation: say "NOHT" US /noʊt/, UK /nəʊt/

## Verb

1. To remark on or call attention to something when speaking or writing, often only briefly or in passing.
   - Simple: To mention something when you speak or write, often just quickly in passing.
   - _The report notes that crime has fallen for the third year in a row._
   - _Before we begin, I'd like to note that the deadline has moved to Friday._
5. To notice something carefully; to observe or take heed of it.
   - Simple: To notice something carefully and pay attention to it.
   - _Visitors should note the safety instructions before entering._
   - _She noted every detail of the unusual scene._
7. To record something in writing; to make a written memorandum of it.
   - Simple: To write something down so you can remember it later.
   - _The secretary noted each decision in the minutes._
   - _Officers must note the details of every complaint they receive._
19. To denote or designate; to serve as a sign for something.
   - Simple: To be a sign for something, or to stand for it.
21. To add explanatory comments to a text, usually in its margins or between its lines.
   - Simple: To add short comments to a text to explain it.
23. To write down a piece of music using musical symbols.
   - Simple: To write down music using musical signs.
24. Of a notary, to make an official dated record on a bill or draft that it has been refused acceptance or payment, as the first step toward a formal protest.
   - Simple: To officially record on a bill that someone has refused to accept it or pay it.
   - _The clerk noted the dishonored bill before filing the protest._
   - _A notary must note the draft promptly to protect the holder's rights._

## Noun

2. A brief piece of writing made to assist the memory; a memorandum.
   - Simple: A short bit of writing you make to help yourself remember something.
   - _She jotted a quick note so she wouldn't forget the address._
   - _His desk was covered in sticky notes and half-finished lists._
3. A short, informal letter; a quick written message to someone.
   - Simple: A short, informal letter written to someone.
   - _He dashed off a quick note to apologize for missing dinner._
   - _They exchanged flirtatious notes throughout the afternoon._
4. A brief remark or explanatory comment added to a text; an annotation.
   - Simple: A short comment written next to a text to explain it.
   - _The editor's notes clarified several obscure passages._
   - _She left a note beside the equation explaining her method._
6. A single musical sound of a particular pitch and length, the written symbol that stands for it, or a piano or organ key that plays it.
   - Simple: A single sound in music, or the sign written for it on paper, or the piano key that plays it.
   - _He held the final note for several seconds._
   - _The singer missed a note halfway through the chorus._
8. Distinction or importance; the quality of being worthy of attention.
   - Simple: Fame or importance that makes someone or something stand out.
   - _Several scientists of note attended the conference._
   - _The town has produced few figures of national note._
9. Attention or heed directed toward something; notice.
   - Simple: Careful attention or notice given to something.
   - _The committee took note of the public's concerns._
   - _Few took note of the small change buried deep in the report._
10. Any single aroma or flavor that a person can pick out from the others in a perfume, wine, food, or drink.
   - Simple: One of the different smells or tastes you can notice in a perfume, wine, food, or drink.
   - _The wine opens with a bright note of cherry and finishes with a hint of oak._
   - _The chef's curry has warm notes of cinnamon and clove beneath the heat._
11. A piece of printed money, made of paper or plastic, with its value shown on it; a banknote.
   - Simple: A piece of printed money, made of paper or plastic, used to pay for things.
   - _The teller fanned out a stack of notes to count them._
   - _He slipped a high-value note into the envelope._
14. A written paper acknowledging a debt and promising to pay it; a promissory note.
   - Simple: A signed paper that promises to pay back money you owe.
   - _She held a note guaranteeing repayment with interest._
   - _The company issued notes to raise money from investors._
12. A short scholarly or technical paper dealing with a narrowly defined subject; loosely, any brief contribution to scholarly discussion.
   - Simple: A short academic paper or piece of writing on a subject.
   - _The journal printed her note alongside several longer articles._
   - _Scholars often cite his brief note on the manuscript's origin._
15. The musical sound of a bird's call or song.
   - Simple: The sound a bird makes when it sings or calls.
   - _Experienced birdwatchers can identify a species from a single note._
   - _The thrush repeated the same note again and again at dawn._
16. A mark, sign, or feature by which something can be recognized; a distinctive quality.
   - Simple: A feature or sign that helps you know what something is.
   - _Generosity was the defining note of his public life._
   - _A faint accent was the one note that gave away her origins._
17. A formal written communication sent between governments or diplomats; a diplomatic missive.
   - Simple: An official written message sent between governments.
   - _The ambassador delivered a formal note to the foreign ministry._
   - _Diplomatic notes passed between the two capitals for weeks._
18. A small size of writing paper used for letters or short messages.
   - Simple: A small size for sheets of writing paper, used for letters and short messages.
   - _For business mail she used letter size; for personal messages, note._
   - _Folded note sheets are a popular choice for invitations and sympathy cards._
20. A mark or sign made to call attention to something, or one that serves as proof or evidence.
   - Simple: A mark or sign used to point something out or to prove it.
22. In rhythm games, an on-screen indicator that a player must click, tap, or hit when it appears.
   - Simple: In rhythm games, a mark a player must hit at the right time.
   - _The hardest song throws dozens of notes at the player each second._
   - _He tapped the screen the instant the note reached the line._
27. In British dialect, that which is needed or necessary; business, duty, or work. *(dialectal, Ireland, Northern England, Scotland, UK)*
   - Simple: In some British dialects, work or a duty that must be done.
28. In British dialect, a cow's or sow's giving of milk; the period after calving or farrowing when she yields most; or the milk produced then. *(dialectal, Ireland, Northern England, Scotland, UK)*
   - Simple: In some British dialects, the milk a cow or sow gives, or the time it gives the most.
29. A critical comment or remark made about something.
   - Simple: A comment that judges or criticizes something.
   - _The producer delivered her notes on the rough cut._
   - _He bristled at every critical note the editor offered._

## Noun

13. Notification, information, or intelligence given or received. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: News or information given to someone.
25. An itemized account, or a list of things or of sums charged. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A list of items or costs, like a bill or account.
26. A mark or sign of disgrace; a stigma. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A sign or mark of shame.

## Origin

**Meanings 1–26, 29** — Latin nota ("mark, sign, remark, note") produced two words: Old English not or nōt, meaning "note, mark, sign", and Old French note, meaning "letter, note". The two came together in Middle English note.
**Meanings 27–28** — Proto-Indo-European *newd-, meaning "to acquire, make use of", developed into Proto-Germanic *nutō ("enjoyment, utilization") and Proto-West Germanic *notu. In Old English this was notu ("use, enjoyment, advantage, profit"), which became Middle English note ("use, usefulness, profit"). Dutch nut, German Nutzen and Icelandic not are relatives.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/note (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).