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REFERENCE

note

n. · v.
US //ˈnoʊt// UK //nˈəʊt// note
  1. 1 a short record (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a short piece of writing that helps you remember something.

    a brief written record or memorandum intended to assist the memory or provide information.

    Example

    She wrote a quick note in her diary so she wouldn't forget the appointment.

    Example

    The researcher kept a detailed note of every variable changed during the experiment to ensure the results could be replicated accurately.
  2. 2 a short letter (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a short, informal letter or message sent to someone.

    a brief informal letter or written message addressed to a specific recipient.

    Example

    I left a note on the fridge saying I would be home late.

    Example

    He sent a polite thank-you note to the hosts the morning after the dinner party, expressing his appreciation for their hospitality.
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  1. 3 musical sound (n.)
    A2 Elementary Music

    a single sound in music, or the symbol that represents it.

    a specific musical tone of a particular pitch and duration, or the graphic symbol representing it in notation.

    Example

    The singer struggled to hit the high note at the end of the song.

    Example

    The pianist played the opening notes with such delicacy that the entire audience fell into a hushed silence.
  2. 4 paper money (n.)
    A2 Elementary British English Finance

    a piece of paper money.

    a piece of paper money issued by a central bank; a banknote.

    Example

    He pulled a ten-pound note out of his wallet to pay for the coffee.

    Example

    The shopkeeper refused to accept the damaged fifty-euro note, citing concerns about its validity at the local bank.
  3. 5 a quality or feeling (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a particular feeling or quality in someone's voice or in a situation.

    a particular quality, emotion, or tone expressed in an utterance or situation.

    Example

    There was a note of sadness in her voice when she spoke about her old home.

    Example

    The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties agreeing to continue negotiations in the following month.
  4. 6 importance or fame (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the quality of being important or well-known.

    the state of being important, distinguished, or worthy of notice.

    Example

    Many people of note attended the opening of the new gallery.

    Example

    The architect was a man of some note in the city, having designed several of its most iconic modern landmarks.
    • insignificance
  5. 7 to notice (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to notice something or pay careful attention to it.

    to observe or notice something with particular care or attention.

    Example

    Please note that the office will be closed this coming Monday.

    Example

    The inspector noted several minor safety violations that required immediate attention before the factory could be recertified.
  6. 8 to write down (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to write something down so that you can remember it later.

    to record something in writing for future reference or documentation.

    Example

    The secretary noted down the main points of the discussion.

    Example

    The journalist carefully noted the witness's exact words, ensuring the quote would be accurate in the final article.
Etymology 1

From Middle English note, from Old English not, nōt (“note, mark, sign”) and Old French note (“letter, note”), both from Latin nota (“mark, sign, remark, note”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English note (“use, usefulness, profit”), from Old English notu (“use, enjoyment, advantage, profit, utility”), from Proto-West Germanic notu, from Proto-Germanic nutō (“enjoyment, utilisation”), from Proto-Indo-European *newd- (“to acquire, make use of”). Cognate with West Frisian not (“yield, produce, crop”), Dutch genot (“enjoyment, pleasure”), Dutch nut (“usefulness, utility, behoof”), German Nutzen (“benefit, usefulness, utility”), Icelandic not (“use”, noun). Related also to Old English notian (“to enjoy, make use of, employ”), Old English nēotan (“to use, enjoy”), Old High German niozan (“to use, enjoy”) (Modern German genießen (“to enjoy”)), Modern German benutzen (“to use”). Related to nait.

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