note

UK: /ˈnəʊt/ US: /noʊt/ ,(nōt)

Inflections of 'note' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

notes

v 3rd person singular

noting

v pres p

noted

v past

noted

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

note /noʊt/   n., v., not•ed, not•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. a brief written record of something to help someone remember something for future reference:
   She took notes in her English class.
2. a brief written or printed statement giving information:
   I left you a note on the refrigerator door.
3. a short letter:
   a note of apology.
4. a reference or comment added to a passage of writing, to give one's source, more information, etc.;
   a footnote.
5. an expression of a quality, emotion, etc., that is part of the surroundings;
   a hint:
   a note of fear in his voice.
6. Music and Dance
   • a tone of a certain pitch, or a sign or character used to represent it in a piece of music.
7. a sound of musical quality:
   the beautiful notes of the nightingale.
8. Business a certificate, as of a government or a bank, accepted as money;
   a bill:
   a bundle of fifty-dollar notes.

v. 

9. to write or mark down briefly* make a record or note of so as to remember later: [~ + object]
   He noted the professor's comments in the margins.
   [~ + down + object]
   Note down this name.
10. to make particular or special mention of (something): [~ + object]
    noted the heroic efforts of her staff.
    [~ + that clause]
    noted that her staff had done a fine job.
11. to take notice of;
    perceive: [~ + object]
    We noted his reluctance to testify.
    [~ + that clause]
    She noted that some people left early.

Idioms

12. compare notes (on), to share information about:
    They compared notes on the experience.
13. of note, having fame or importance:
    writers of note.
14. take note (of), to notice: [no object]
    The sign warned trespassers to take note.
    [take note of + object]
    He failed to take note of the warning lights.

See -nota-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

note  (nōt), n., v., not•ed, not•ing. 
n. 

1. a brief record of something written down to assist the memory or for future reference.
2. notes, a record or outline of a speech, statement, testimony, etc., or of one's impressions of something.
3. an explanatory or critical comment, or a reference to some authority quoted, appended to a passage in a book or the like:
   a note on the origin of the phrase.
4. a brief written or printed statement giving particulars or information.
5. Library Science additional information about a work, such as its special series or some other significant identification, included on the library catalog entry.
6. a short, informal letter:
   a thank-you note.
7. a formal diplomatic or official communication in writing:
   a note delivered by the ambassador.
8. Business a paper acknowledging a debt and promising payment;
   promissory note.
9. Business a certificate, as of a government or a bank, accepted as money.
10. eminence, distinction, or reputation:
    a man of note.
11. importance or consequence:
    few events of particular note.
12. notice, observation, or heed:
    to take note of warning signs; to be worthy of note.
13. a characteristic or distinguishing feature:
    a note of whimsy in the design of the house.
14. a mark, quality, or indication of something, esp. as a submerged but ubiquitous element:
    There was just a note of bitterness in his films.
15. a characteristic way of speaking or thinking:
    His critics had begun to change their note.
16. a signal, announcement, or intimation:
    a note of warning in her voice.
17. Music and Dance
    • a sign or character used to represent a tone, its position and form indicating the pitch and duration of the tone.
    • a key, as of a piano.
18. Music and Dance a tone sounded on a musical instrument.
19. Music and Dance a musical sound or tone.
20. Music and Dance a melody, tune, or song.
21. a sound of musical quality, as one uttered by a bird:
    attentive to the thrush's note.
22. any call, cry, or sound of a bird, fowl, etc.
23. a new or unexpected element in a situation.
24. a mark or sign, as of punctuation, used in writing or printing.
25. Idioms compare notes, to exchange views, ideas, or impressions:
    The returning tourists were sitting on the sun deck comparing notes.

v.t. 

26. to write or mark down briefly;
    make a memorandum of:
    to note the places of interest.
27. to make particular mention of in a writing:
    She noted their extra efforts in her report.
28. to annotate.
29. to observe carefully;
    give attention or heed to:
    Note the fine brushwork in this painting.
30. to take notice of;
    perceive:
    We noted his concern at the announcement.
31. Music and Dance to set down in or furnish with musical notes.
32. to indicate or designate;
    signify;
    denote.

• Latin notāre, derivative of the noun, nominal
• Old French noter to mark
• Medieval Latin nota sign for musical tone, Latin: mark, sign, lettering; (verb, verbal) Middle English noten
• Old French)
• (noun, nominal) Middle English (1175–1225

not′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. memorandum, minute.
• 3. commentary, annotation. See remark. 
• 9. bill.
• 10. repute, celebrity, fame, renown, name.
• 26. register, record.
• 30. see, spot, remark.
• 32. mention.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

note / nəʊt/ noun

1. a brief summary or record in writing, esp a jotting for future reference
2. a brief letter, usually of an informal nature
3. a formal written communication, esp from one government to another
4. a short written statement giving any kind of information
5. a critical comment, explanatory statement, or reference in the text of a book, often preceded by a number
6. short for banknote
7. a characteristic element or atmosphere: a note of sarcasm
8. a distinctive vocal sound, as of a species of bird or animal
9. any of a series of graphic signs representing a musical sound whose pitch is indicated by position on the stave and whose duration is indicated by the sign's shape
10. Also called (esp US and Canadian): tone a musical sound of definite fundamental frequency or pitch
11. a key on a piano, organ, etc
12. a sound, as from a musical instrument, used as a signal or warning: the note to retreat was sounded
13. short for promissory note
14. a tune or melody
15. of note ⇒ distinguished or famous
16. worth noticing or paying attention to; important: nothing of note
17. strike the right note ⇒ to behave appropriately
18. strike a false note ⇒ to behave inappropriately
19. take note ⇒ (often followed by of) to observe carefully; pay close attention (to)

verb (tr; may take a clause as object)

1. to notice; perceive
2. to pay close attention to; observe: they noted every movement
3. to make a written note or memorandum of: she noted the date in her diary
4. to make particular mention of; remark upon: I note that you do not wear shoes
5. to write down (music, a melody, etc) in notes
6. to take (an unpaid or dishonoured bill of exchange) to a notary public to re-present the bill and if it is still unaccepted or unpaid to note the circumstances in a register
   See protest12
7. a less common word for annotate

Etymology: 13th Century: via Old French from Latin nota sign, indication

ˈnoteless adjective