English Reference
adjective · noun

notable

adj. · n.
US /ˈnoʊtəbəɫ/ UK /nˈəʊtəbəl/ no·table UK spelling notables

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.important and deserving of your attention or praise.

    adj.worthy of note; remarkable, distinguished, or significant in a particular context.

    Simple

    The town is notable for its beautiful old church and friendly people.

    In context

    The author's latest novel is notable for its intricate plot and the profound psychological depth of its secondary characters.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.easy to see or notice.

    adj.clearly noticeable or conspicuous; easily observed without necessarily implying high value.

    Simple

    There has been a notable change in the weather since yesterday morning.

    In context

    There was a notable silence in the room after the director announced the unexpected budget cuts to the research department.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.a person who is famous or important in a particular group.

    n.a person of distinction or great reputation within a specific field or community.

    Simple

    Local notables and business leaders attended the opening of the new hospital.

    In context

    The gala was attended by various local notables, including the mayor, several prominent academics, and the heads of major charitable organisations.

    dignitaryVIPcelebrity

Most notable, though, was Norway forward Haaland, whose popularity skyrocketed as fans flocked to his Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat accounts.

BBC News· 15 Aug 2026

It will however remain dry for most of the UK over the weekend, stretching out the run of days where there has been no notable rain in southern England for two months.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

Inherited from Middle English notable (“worthy of note, profitable, useful”), in some senses from Anglo-Norman notable (“noteworthy”), from Latin notābilis (“noteworthy, extraordinary”), from notō (“to note, mark”); in some senses from Middle English note (“benefit, profit, use, advantage”), from Old English notu (“t-use, profit, advantage, employment”) + -able; equivalent to note + -able. Compare English noteful (“useful”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Old English notu
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated