Document vs. Note — What's the Difference?

A document is a written, drawn, presented, or memorialized representation of thought, often the manifestation of non-fictional, as well as fictional, content. The word originates from the Latin Documentum, which denotes a "teaching" or "lesson": the verb doceō denotes "to teach".

A brief record, especially one written down to aid the memory

A piece of written, printed, or electronic matter that provides information or evidence or that serves as an official record.

A comment or explanation, as on a passage in a text

Record (something) in written, photographic, or other form

A brief informal letter

A written or printed paper that bears the original, official, or legal form of something and can be used to furnish decisive evidence or information.

A formal written diplomatic or official communication.

Something, such as a recording or a photograph, that can be used to furnish evidence or information.

A piece of paper currency.

A writing that contains information.

A debt security, usually with a maturity of ten years or less.

(Computers) A piece of work created with an application, as with a word processor.

A promissory note.

(Computers) A computer file that is not an executable file and contains data for use by applications.

A tone of definite pitch.

Something, especially a material substance such as a coin bearing a revealing symbol or mark, that serves as proof or evidence.

A symbol for such a tone, indicating pitch by its position on the staff and duration by its shape.

To furnish with a document or documents.

A key of an instrument, such as a piano.

To methodically record the details of

The characteristic vocal sound made by a songbird or other animal

To support (an assertion or claim, for example) with evidence or decisive information.

The sign of a particular quality or emotion

To support (statements in a book, for example) with written references or citations; annotate.

A distinctive component of a complex flavor or aroma

An original or official paper used as the basis, proof, or support of anything else, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information pertinent to such proof or support.

Importance; consequence

Any material substance on which the information is represented by writing.

Notice; observation

(computing) A file that contains text.

(Obsolete) A song, melody, or tune.

(obsolete) That which is taught or authoritatively set forth; precept; instruction; dogma.

To observe carefully; notice

(obsolete) An example for instruction or warning.

A symbol or annotation.

To record in documents.

A mark or token by which a thing may be known; a visible sign; a character; a distinctive mark or feature; a characteristic quality.

To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish facts or give information.

A mark, or sign, made to call attention, to point out something to notice, or the like; a sign, or token, proving or giving evidence.

That which is taught or authoritatively set forth; precept; instruction; dogma.

A brief remark; a marginal comment or explanation; hence, an annotation on a text or author; a comment; a critical, explanatory, or illustrative observation.

An example for instruction or warning.

A written or printed communication or commitment.

An original or official paper relied upon as the basis, proof, or support of anything else; - in its most extended sense, including any writing, book, or other instrument conveying information in the case; any material substance on which the thoughts of men are represented by any species of conventional mark or symbol.

A brief piece of writing intended to assist the memory; a memorandum; a minute.

To teach; to school.

A short informal letter; a billet.

To furnish with documents or papers necessary to establish facts or give information; as, a a ship should be documented according to the directions of law.

(academic) An academic treatise (often without regard to length); a treatment; a discussion paper; (loosely) any contribution to an academic discourse.

Writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

A diplomatic missive or written communication.

Anything serving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolic marks

(finance) A written or printed paper acknowledging a debt, and promising payment

A written account of ownership or obligation

(obsolete) A list of items or of charges; an account.

(computer science) a computer file that contains text (and possibly formatting instructions) using 7-bit ASCII characters

A piece of paper money; a banknote.

Record in detail;

(extension) A small size of paper used for writing letters or notes.

Support or supply with references;

(music) A sound.

A character, variously formed, to indicate the length of a tone, and variously placed upon the staff to indicate its pitch.

A musical sound; a tone; an utterance; a tune.

(by extension) A key of the piano or organ.

(by extension) A call or song of a bird.

(uncountable) Observation; notice; heed.

(uncountable) Reputation; distinction.

A critical comment.

(obsolete) Notification; information; intelligence.

(obsolete) Mark of disgrace.

That which is needed or necessary; business; duty; work.

The giving of milk by a cow or sow; the period following calving or farrowing during which a cow or sow is at her most useful (i.e. gives milk); the milk given by a cow or sow during such a period.

(transitive) To notice with care; to observe; to remark; to heed.

(transitive) To record in writing; to make a memorandum of.

(transitive) To denote; to designate.

(transitive) To annotate.

(transitive) To set down in musical characters.

To record on the back of (a bill, draft, etc.) a refusal of acceptance, as the ground of a protest, which is done officially by a notary.

To butt; to push with the horns.

To notice with care; to observe; to remark; to heed; to attend to.

To record in writing; to make a memorandum of.

To charge, as with crime (with of or for before the thing charged); to brand.

To denote; to designate.

To annotate.

To set down in musical characters.

Know not; knows not.

Nut.

Need; needful business.

A mark or token by which a thing may be known; a visible sign; a character; a distinctive mark or feature; a characteristic quality.

A mark, or sign, made to call attention, to point out something to notice, or the like; a sign, or token, proving or giving evidence.

A brief remark; a marginal comment or explanation; hence, an annotation on a text or author; a comment; a critical, explanatory, or illustrative observation.

A brief writing intended to assist the memory; a memorandum; a minute.

Hence, a writing intended to be used in speaking; memoranda to assist a speaker, being either a synopsis, or the full text of what is to be said; as, to preach from notes; also, a reporter's memoranda; the original report of a speech or of proceedings.

A short informal letter; a billet.

A diplomatic missive or written communication.

A written or printed paper acknowledging a debt, and promising payment; as, a promissory note; a note of hand; a negotiable note.

A list of items or of charges; an account.

A character, variously formed, to indicate the length of a tone, and variously placed upon the staff to indicate its pitch. Hence:

Observation; notice; heed.

Notification; information; intelligence.

State of being under observation.

Reputation; distinction; as, a poet of note.

Stigma; brand; reproach.

A short personal letter;

A brief written record;

A characteristic emotional quality;

A piece of paper money (especially one issued by a central bank);

A notation representing the pitch and duration of a musical sound;

A comment or instruction (usually added);

High status importance owing to marked superiority;

A tone of voice that shows what the speaker is feeling;

A promise to pay a specified amount on demand or at a certain time;

Make mention of;

Notice or perceive;

Observe with care or pay close attention to;

Make a written note of;