note
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.
attributive: handwritten note / short note / quick note
Pedro sent a thank-you note to his aunt after receiving the birthday gift.
- leave a note
- write a note
- send a note
- handwritten note
- thank-you note
- quick note
Grammar Patterns
note + to/for + person
note + about/on + topic
Usage Note
Countable. Often takes a specifying adjective (thank-you note, suicide note, sick note) that names the purpose of the message.
Common Mistakes
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.
note + that-clause (explaining / stating / saying)
Translations of difficult Latin phrases appear in the notes at the back of the book.
- editorial note
- footnote
- explanatory note
- marginal note
- notes at the back
- 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
Grammar Patterns
note + on/about + topic
note + at the bottom/foot of + page
Usage Note
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.
collocation: take notes / make notes
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.
- take notes
- make notes
- lecture notes
- class notes
- detailed notes
- revision notes
- compare notes
Grammar Patterns
take/make + notes
notes + on/about + topic
Usage Note
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).
Common Mistakes
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.
- diplomatic note
- formal note
- exchange notes
- note verbale
- send a note
- 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
Grammar Patterns
note + on/about + topic
diplomatic note
note + from + organisation
Usage Note
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.
hold + a/the + note + duration
Each black dot on the sheet music represents a different note the musician must play.
- musical note
- play a note
- hold a note
- hit a note
- wrong note
- note on the staff
Grammar Patterns
play + a/the + note
note + of + pitch
Usage Note
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.
- note of sadness
- note of caution
- optimistic note
- positive note
- strike a note
- sound a note
- end on a note
Grammar Patterns
note + of + emotion
strike + a + adjective + note
Usage Note
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.
value + note: ten-euro note, £20 note
The counterfeit notes were detected by the bank's new scanning machine.
- banknote
- £10 note
- counterfeit note
- folded note
- plastic note
- banknote
formal term used in official contexts
- bill
American English equivalent
- paper money
uncountable; refers to the category rather than a single piece
Grammar Patterns
number + - + value + note
Usage Note
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'.
Common Mistakes
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.
worthy of note = deserving attention
- of note
- worthy of note
- nothing of note
- significance
more general; can describe impact without implying fame
- distinction
emphasises excellence or high quality
- prominence
suggests being widely recognised or noticeable
Grammar Patterns
of + note
worthy of + note
Usage Note
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').
Common Mistakes
to pay careful attention to something and remember it because it is important.
Motorists should take note of the warning signs near the construction area.
The committee took note that the budget had been exceeded for the third month running.
to exchange opinions, ideas, or information about a shared experience with another person.
After the training session, the new teachers gathered in the staff room to compare notes.
The two researchers met over coffee to compare notes on their field studies in Indonesia.
to express a particular feeling, attitude, or quality through what you say or do.
The charity's director struck a note of hope when describing the relief efforts.
Her opening speech sounded a cautious note about the risks of the new technology.
To say or do something that is appropriate or inappropriate for a particular situation.
Maya hit the right note with her funny speech at the wedding.
The comedian struck the wrong note when he joked about the accident.
of note
idiomImportant or interesting enough to be noticed.
Dr. Lee is a scientist of note in the field of genetics.
The gallery displayed several paintings of note from the 19th century.
To express a particular feeling or opinion.
The teacher sounded a note of caution about the upcoming exam.
Her speech struck a hopeful note for the future of the company.
To pay attention to something and remember it.
Please take note of the new safety rules posted on the wall.
Brian took careful note of the instructions before starting the experiment.
worthy of note
idiomDeserving attention because it is important or interesting.
The discovery of a new species is worthy of note.
Her achievement in winning the award is certainly worthy of note.
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.
note + wh-clause (how / what / where / when / why)
Nora noted with concern that her passport had expired only two days before her trip.
- note a change
- note a difference
- note with concern
- note with surprise
- note that
Grammar Patterns
note + that-clause
note + wh-word + clause
note + noun phrase
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
as + person + noted: used to reference an earlier observation
Please note that the deadline for applications has been extended by one week.
please note that ... (instructional formula)
- note that
- as noted above
- please note
- it should be noted
- report notes
- study notes
- omit
leave something out deliberately
Grammar Patterns
note + that-clause
be noted + that-clause
note + noun phrase
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- notedadjectiveB2
- notableadjectiveB2
- notablyadverbB2
- notationnounB2
- noteworthyadjectiveC1
- noteworthyadverbC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/3
Notes, records, minutes, jottings, and memos all capture information in writing, but they differ in purpose and formality. Notes (sense 3) are personal, quick written records taken while listening or reading — students take notes in class, journalists take notes during interviews. Records are more permanent and formal; they serve as official evidence or documentation of events, transactions, or data. Minutes are the official written summary of what was discussed and decided at a formal meeting — always organised, always attributed to specific speakers. Jottings are very informal, hasty notes scribbled down as reminders, often meaningless to anyone except the writer. Memos (memoranda) are short internal messages within an organisation, usually typed and distributed to a group. Example: 'My lecture notes were messy, so I turned them into a clean summary. The committee's minutes were filed as an official record of the meeting. I scribbled a few jottings on a napkin while waiting for the bus.'
Etymology
The word 'note' comes from Latin 'nota', which originally meant 'a mark, sign, or distinguishing mark'. In Latin, a 'nota' was a brand or mark used for identification, like a brand on cattle. The word entered English through Old French 'note' in the 13th century, first carrying the meaning of 'a written sign or symbol'. By the 14th century it had developed the musical sense (a written symbol representing a sound), and by the 1500s it was used for brief written messages. The sense of 'importance' arose from the idea of something being 'marked' or 'noteworthy'. The verb form developed from the noun — to 'note' something originally meant to put a mark on it for identification, which evolved into 'pay attention to' and later 'record in writing'.