# noticing

/ˈnoʊtɪsɪŋ/ (US) · /nˈəʊtɪsɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/noticing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. becoming aware

verb · CEFR A2

seeing, hearing, or feeling something and becoming aware of it.

For teachers: the continuous process of perceiving or becoming aware of a stimulus through the senses.

- I am noticing a strange smell coming from the kitchen.
- While walking through the gallery, she found herself noticing the subtle brushwork that she had missed during her previous visit.

### 2. the act of seeing

noun · CEFR B2

the act of seeing or paying attention to something.

For teachers: the gerundial act of observation or the state of being aware of something.

- His noticing of the small details made him a great detective.
- The mere noticing of a problem is often the first and most difficult step toward finding a permanent solution.

## Examples

- I am noticing a strange smell in the kitchen.
- After living in the city for a month, she started noticing the subtle differences between the various neighborhoods.
- While the casual observer might overlook the slight discoloration of the leaves, a trained botanist is capable of noticing the earliest signs of a fungal infection.

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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.