English Reference

Word

notice

Phoneticsno·tice, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈnoʊtəs/

UK/nˈəʊtɪs/

Definitions

01to observe

A2 · Elementary

v. to see, hear, or feel something and become aware of it.

v. to become aware of something through the senses; to observe or perceive.

“I didn't notice that you had cut your hair until you mentioned it.”

“The detective was trained to notice even the smallest discrepancies in a witness's statement during a formal interview.”

Antonyms

02a sign or announcement

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a written or printed sign that gives information to the public.

n. a written or printed announcement displayed publicly to provide information or instructions.

“There is a notice on the wall saying the lift is out of order.”

“The council posted a formal notice on the community board regarding the upcoming changes to local parking regulations.”

03advance warning

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. information or a warning given before something happens.

n. advance notification or warning of a future event or requirement.

“The meeting was cancelled at short notice, so I had already arrived.”

“The landlord is required by law to give at least twenty-four hours' notice before entering the property for an inspection.”

04leaving a job

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. the period of time you must work after saying you will leave your job.

n. the formal period of time an employee must remain at a job after resigning, or the period an employer must provide before termination.

“She handed in her notice yesterday because she found a better job.”

“According to his contract, he must serve a three-month notice period before he can begin his new role at the rival firm.”

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'give', 'hand in', or 'serve'.

Synonyms

resignation period

05attention

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. attention or interest from other people.

n. observation, attention, or recognition from others.

“His hard work finally escaped the notice of his manager.”

“The young artist's work first came to public notice after a favorable review in a national Sunday newspaper.”

Antonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “notice” in context.

01. noticed unusual

Confusables

notice vs note

Notice is the act of perceiving something through the senses; note is the act of recording information or making a deliberate observation.

RememberNotice is what you see; note is what you write.

notice vs realize

Notice is for physical observation through the senses; realize is for a mental shift in understanding or sudden awareness of a fact.

RememberNotice with your eyes; realize with your brain.

notice vs see

See is the physical ability to use your eyes, while notice is the act of paying attention to a specific detail.

RememberSee is the sense; notice is the observation.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French notice, from the Latin nōtitia. Doublet of notitia.

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

Word family

VERB

notice(A2)

Idioms

Grammar

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/notice

English Reference