# annotated

/ˈænəˌteɪtəd/ (US) · /ˈænəʊtˌeɪtɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/annotated
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

describing a piece of writing that has extra notes or comments added to explain difficult parts. You use this when a book or map has helpful information written in the margins.

For teachers: provided with explanatory notes, critical commentary, or supplementary information. Often used as a participial adjective to describe academic texts or legal documents.

## Examples

- The students used an annotated version of the play to understand the old language.
- The professor provided an annotated bibliography to help the researchers find the most relevant sources for their project.
- By studying the annotated manuscript, historians were able to trace the author's shifting political allegiances through the various revisions and marginalia added over a decade.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'is' or 'remains'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.