note
/nəʊt/ (bre, ipa) · /nəʊt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈnōt/ (ame, mw) · /noʊt/ (ame, ipa)
note — noun
- notesingular
- notesplural
1. a few words written down and handed or left for someone, usually as a quick way
a few words written down and handed or left for someone, usually as a quick way of telling them something or reminding them about something.
Yan left a note on the fridge to remind her roommate about the electricity bill.
leave + note + location (on/at/in + place)
The manager wrote a brief note thanking the team for their hard work.
A handwritten note on the classroom door said the lesson was cancelled.
Pedro sent a thank-you note to his aunt after receiving the birthday gift.
文法句型
note + to/for + person
note + about/on + topic
用法筆記
Countable. Often takes a specifying adjective (thank-you note, suicide note, sick note) that names the purpose of the message.
常見錯誤
2. a short remark placed next to a section of text — for instance at the foot of a
a short remark placed next to a section of text — for instance at the foot of a page, beside a paragraph, or in an appendix near the end of a volume.
The footnote at the bottom of page 14 contains a note about the author's sources.
footnote / endnote format: note about + topic
Sivan wrote helpful notes in the margins of her textbook while studying for exams.
The editor added a note explaining that the dates in the original document were incorrect.
Translations of difficult Latin phrases appear in the notes at the back of the book.
- annotation
more formal; implies a scholarly or critical comment
- footnote
specifically a note placed at the bottom of a page rather than at the end
- gloss
a short explanation of a difficult word or passage, often between lines
文法句型
note + on/about + topic
note + at the bottom/foot of + page
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the plural (notes) when referring to the entire collection of such annotations at the end of a book or chapter. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense refers to published commentary on a text, not personal study records.
3. facts or ideas put into writing while following a lecture, studying a text, or p
facts or ideas put into writing while following a lecture, studying a text, or planning something, so the information can be checked again later.
Nikhil borrowed Rania's notes from the chemistry lecture he had missed.
borrow/lend + notes; notes from + class/lecture
The journalist checked her notes one more time before writing the article.
Students are encouraged to take detailed notes during the laboratory session.
Soraya organised her revision notes into five different colour-coded folders.
The detective compared his notes with the officer who arrived first at the scene.
文法句型
take/make + notes
notes + on/about + topic
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural (notes) when referring to study records. The singular (I made a note) usually belongs to sense 1 (a short message) or the phrasal/idiomatic expression make a note of something (record information).
常見錯誤
4. a formal written communication, typically from one government, organisation, or
a formal written communication, typically from one government, organisation, or official to another, stating a position, making a request, or recording an agreement.
The Chinese embassy sent a diplomatic note protesting the new visa restrictions.
diplomatic note / formal note + verb of communication
A note from the Ministry of Education outlined changes to the national curriculum.
Both governments exchanged notes confirming their shared commitment to the climate treaty.
The finance department circulated a note reminding all staff of the new expense reporting procedure.
- memorandum
used within an organisation rather than between governments
- dispatch
an official message sent by a diplomat or military officer
- communiqué
an official announcement, often to the press
文法句型
note + on/about + topic
diplomatic note
note + from + organisation
用法筆記
Restricted to formal, institutional contexts. Not used for everyday business emails or personal letters. The abbreviated form 'note verbale' is used in diplomacy.
5. each individual pitch in a piece of music, together with the printed mark on she
each individual pitch in a piece of music, together with the printed mark on sheet music that tells a performer which sound to produce and for how long.
The pianist hit a wrong note during the sonata but carried on playing.
hit / play / hold a note
Amira learned to read notes on the treble clef during her first guitar lesson.
The singer held the final note for ten seconds while the audience cheered.
Each black dot on the sheet music represents a different note the musician must play.
文法句型
play + a/the + note
note + of + pitch
用法筆記
In music theory, notes are distinguished by pitch (how high or low) and duration (how long). The written symbol includes the note head, stem, and flag, each conveying different timing information.
6. a particular quality or feeling revealed in someone's voice, in the atmosphere o
a particular quality or feeling revealed in someone's voice, in the atmosphere of an event, or in a piece of writing.
Isabela's voice carried a note of sadness when she talked about leaving her hometown.
note of + emotion (sadness / urgency / caution / relief)
The prime minister's speech struck an optimistic note about economic recovery.
strike / sound + a + adjective + note
The meeting ended on a positive note, with everyone agreeing to the new plan.
Christopher detected a note of jealousy in his colleague's otherwise friendly compliment.
文法句型
note + of + emotion
strike + a + adjective + note
用法筆記
Commonly appears in fixed expressions such as 'strike a note' (express a particular feeling), 'end on a ... note' (finish in a particular way), and 'a note of caution' (a warning).
7. a printed banknote — a rectangular slip of paper produced by a nation's bank and
a printed banknote — a rectangular slip of paper produced by a nation's bank and used by people to buy goods and services.
The cashier asked if Sven could pay with a smaller note instead of the £50 bill.
note is British English; US equivalent is 'bill'
Many countries now make their notes from plastic to make them last longer.
Nora found a crumpled ten-euro note in the pocket of her old winter coat.
The counterfeit notes were detected by the bank's new scanning machine.
- banknote
formal term used in official contexts
- bill
American English equivalent
- paper money
uncountable; refers to the category rather than a single piece
文法句型
number + - + value + note
用法筆記
Primarily British English. In American English, the equivalent word is 'bill'. The formal term is 'banknote'. 'Note' in this sense is countable — you say 'a £10 note', not 'a £10 note money'.
常見錯誤
8. the quality of being important, famous, or remarkable enough to deserve attentio
the quality of being important, famous, or remarkable enough to deserve attention or be remembered.
Several scientists of note attended the global climate summit in Copenhagen.
of note = important / famous
Nothing of note happened during the long and rather dull committee meeting.
The gallery displayed works by artists of note from across South America.
Her achievements are particularly worthy of note given the difficulties she overcame.
- significance
more general; can describe impact without implying fame
- distinction
emphasises excellence or high quality
- prominence
suggests being widely recognised or noticeable
文法句型
of + note
worthy of + note
用法筆記
This sense is almost entirely restricted to the fixed phrases 'of note' and 'worthy of note'. It does not appear freely (e.g., do not say 'this has much note').
常見錯誤
note — verb
- notepresent simple I / you / we / they
- notes3rd person singular
- noting-ing form
- notedpast simple
1. to notice or become aware of something, especially through careful observation o
to notice or become aware of something, especially through careful observation or attention to detail.
The doctor noted a slight improvement in the patient's breathing after the treatment.
note + noun phrase (a change / a difference / an improvement)
Walking through the garden, Pim noted that the cherry blossoms had begun to open.
The security guard noted how the stranger seemed to study the building before walking away.
Nora noted with concern that her passport had expired only two days before her trip.
文法句型
note + that-clause
note + wh-word + clause
note + noun phrase
用法筆記
Not usually used in progressive tenses (❌ 'I am noting a problem'). In everyday speech, 'notice' is more common; 'note' is slightly more formal and implies deliberate attention. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about becoming aware, while sense 2 is about recording or mentioning something for others.
常見錯誤
2. to mention something or write it down in an official or formal way, so that it i
to mention something or write it down in an official or formal way, so that it is recorded or brought to people's attention.
The report notes that unemployment has fallen by two percent this quarter.
report / study / article notes that + clause
It should be noted that the library will be closed during the winter holidays.
passive: it should be noted that ...
The minutes of the meeting noted three major decisions made by the board of directors.
As the researcher noted in her paper, further studies are needed to confirm the results.
Please note that the deadline for applications has been extended by one week.
- omit
leave something out deliberately
文法句型
note + that-clause
be noted + that-clause
note + noun phrase
用法筆記
This is the more formal of the two verb senses. It often appears in academic writing, official announcements, reports, and instructions. The phrase 'please note that...' is a common formula for drawing attention to important information.