# note

/ˈnoʊt/ (US) · /nˈəʊt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/note
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a short record

noun · CEFR A1

a short piece of writing that helps you remember something.

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

- She wrote a quick note in her diary so she wouldn't forget the appointment.
- The researcher kept a detailed note of every variable changed during the experiment to ensure the results could be replicated accurately.

### 2. a short letter

noun · CEFR A2

a short, informal letter or message sent to someone.

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

- I left a note on the fridge saying I would be home late.
- He sent a polite thank-you note to the hosts the morning after the dinner party, expressing his appreciation for their hospitality.

### 3. musical sound

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- The singer struggled to hit the high note at the end of the song.
- The pianist played the opening notes with such delicacy that the entire audience fell into a hushed silence.

### 4. paper money

noun · CEFR A2 · British English

a piece of paper money.

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

- He pulled a ten-pound note out of his wallet to pay for the coffee.
- The shopkeeper refused to accept the damaged fifty-euro note, citing concerns about its validity at the local bank.

### 5. a quality or feeling

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- There was a note of sadness in her voice when she spoke about her old home.
- The meeting ended on a positive note, with both parties agreeing to continue negotiations in the following month.

### 6. importance or fame

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the quality of being important or well-known.

For teachers: the state of being important, distinguished, or worthy of notice.

- Many people of note attended the opening of the new gallery.
- The architect was a man of some note in the city, having designed several of its most iconic modern landmarks.

### 7. to notice

verb · CEFR B1

to notice something or pay careful attention to it.

For teachers: to observe or notice something with particular care or attention.

- Please note that the office will be closed this coming Monday.
- The inspector noted several minor safety violations that required immediate attention before the factory could be recertified.

### 8. to write down

verb · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: to record something in writing for future reference or documentation.

- The secretary noted down the main points of the discussion.
- The journalist carefully noted the witness's exact words, ensuring the quote would be accurate in the final article.

## Examples

- I left a note on the fridge for my roommate.
- The student took a quick note during the lecture to remember the date of the final exam.
- The pianist played a single, haunting note that echoed through the silent hall, capturing the audience's attention before the melody truly began.

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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.