Note vs. Denote — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 17, 2023
"Note" means to observe or record, while "denote" means to be a sign of or indicate something. Both involve recognition, but "denote" implies symbolic representation.
Difference Between Note and Denote
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Note" is often used in the context of acknowledging, recording, or taking into consideration a piece of information or a fact. It involves the act of mental or physical recognition of particulars. Conversely, "denote" goes beyond simple recognition; it's about what a word, sign, or symbol specifically represents or conveys, establishing a direct connection between the signifier and the signified.
"Note" can be a verb and a noun, applicable in various scenarios, such as in music, communication, and documentation. It could refer to a musical sound, a brief record, or the act of noticing something. "Denote," however, is primarily a verb, used to describe the act of indicating or referring to something explicitly and is more about symbolic or implied representation rather than direct observation or documentation.
The usage of "note" often requires an object to be noted, meaning it's something that has been observed and perhaps recorded. "Denote" requires an understanding of deeper meaning or symbolism, where one thing (like a word or action) stands for, suggests, or implies another.
When someone is asked to "note" something, the emphasis is on the mental cognition of the information, while "denote" demands an understanding of what an element represents or implies, often in a broader context or within a certain system of signs.
"Note" in communication implies a direct, often brief, piece of written information. In contrast, "denote" extends to the realm of semiotics, linguistics, and even mathematics, where terms, symbols, or expressions carry specific, often universally understood meanings.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To observe or record
To indicate or represent
Part of Speech
Used both as a verb and a noun
Primarily used as a verb
Context of Usage
Observation, documentation, music, communication
Semiotics, linguistics, symbolism
Implied Action
Recognition or recording of information
Understanding of a deeper meaning or representation
Dependency
Requires an object or subject
Requires a symbolic or systemic context
Compare with Definitions
Note
A brief record of points or ideas written down as an aid to memory.
She made a note of the address on her phone.
Denote
To represent by a symbol, character, figure, or formula.
In mathematical equations, pi denotes the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter.
Note
A short informal letter or written message.
I left a note for you on the fridge.
Denote
To be a sign of; indicate.
Dark clouds usually denote that rain is coming.
Note
A brief record, especially one written down to aid the memory
Took notes on the lecture.
Denote
To be a name or designation for; mean.
The color red is often used to denote passion or danger.
Note
A comment or explanation, as on a passage in a text
The allusion is explained in the notes at the end of the chapter.
Denote
To mark; indicate
A frown that denoted increasing impatience.
Note
A brief informal letter
Sent a note to the child's teacher.
Denote
To serve as a symbol or name for the meaning of; signify
A flashing yellow light denotes caution.
Note
A formal written diplomatic or official communication.
Denote
To signify directly; refer to specifically
The word "river" denotes a moving body of water and connotes such things as the relentlessness of time and the changing nature of life.
Note
A piece of paper currency.
Denote
(transitive) To indicate; to mark.
The yellow blazes denote the trail.
Note
A debt security, usually with a maturity of ten years or less.
Denote
(transitive) To make overt. en
Note
A promissory note.
Denote
(transitive) To refer to literally; to convey as meaning.
Note
A tone of definite pitch.
Denote
To mark out plainly; to signify by a visible sign; to serve as the sign or name of; to indicate; to point out; as, the hands of the clock denote the hour.
The better to denote her to the doctor.
Note
A symbol for such a tone, indicating pitch by its position on the staff and duration by its shape.
Denote
To be the sign of; to betoken; to signify; to mean.
A general expression to denote wickedness of every sort.
Note
A key of an instrument, such as a piano.
Denote
Be a sign or indication of;
Her smile denoted that she agreed
Note
The characteristic vocal sound made by a songbird or other animal
The clear note of a cardinal.
Denote
Have as a meaning;
`multi-' denotes `many'
Note
The sign of a particular quality or emotion
A note of despair in his remarks.
A note of gaiety in her manner.
Denote
Make known; make an announcement;
She denoted her feelings clearly
Note
A distinctive component of a complex flavor or aroma
A full-bodied wine with notes of cherry and musk.
Denote
To signify directly; refer to specifically.
The term freedom denotes a broad range of rights.
Note
Importance; consequence
Nothing of note happened.
Denote
To make known or to point out.
The skull and crossbones flag denotes pirates in popular culture.
Note
Notice; observation
Quietly took note of the scene.
Note
(Obsolete) A song, melody, or tune.
Note
To observe carefully; notice
Note the difference between these two plants. ].
Note
A symbol or annotation.
Note
A mark or token by which a thing may be known; a visible sign; a character; a distinctive mark or feature; a characteristic quality.
Note
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.
Note
A brief remark; a marginal comment or explanation; hence, an annotation on a text or author; a comment; a critical, explanatory, or illustrative observation.
Note
A written or printed communication or commitment.
Note
A brief piece of writing intended to assist the memory; a memorandum; a minute.
I left him a note to remind him to take out the trash.
Note
A short informal letter; a billet.
Note
(academic) An academic treatise (often without regard to length); a treatment; a discussion paper; (loosely) any contribution to an academic discourse.
Note
A diplomatic missive or written communication.
Note
(finance) A written or printed paper acknowledging a debt, and promising payment
A promissory note
A note of hand
A negotiable note
Note
(obsolete) A list of items or of charges; an account.
Note
A piece of paper money; a banknote.
I didn't have any coins to pay with, so I used a note.
Note
(extension) A small size of paper used for writing letters or notes.
Note
(music) A sound.
Note
A character, variously formed, to indicate the length of a tone, and variously placed upon the staff to indicate its pitch.
Note
A musical sound; a tone; an utterance; a tune.
Note
(by extension) A key of the piano or organ.
Note
(by extension) A call or song of a bird.
Note
(uncountable) Observation; notice; heed.
Note
(uncountable) Reputation; distinction.
A poet of note
Note
A critical comment.
Your performance was fantastic! I have just one note: you were a little flat in bars 35 and 36.
Note
(obsolete) Notification; information; intelligence.
Note
(obsolete) Mark of disgrace.
Note
That which is needed or necessary; business; duty; work.
Note
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.
Note
(transitive) To notice with care; to observe; to remark; to heed.
If you look to the left, you can note the old cathedral.
Note
(transitive) To record in writing; to make a memorandum of.
We noted his speech.
Note
(transitive) To denote; to designate.
The modular multiplicative inverse of x may be noted x-1.
Note
(transitive) To annotate.
Note
(transitive) To set down in musical characters.
Note
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.
Note
To butt; to push with the horns.
Note
To notice with care; to observe; to remark; to heed; to attend to.
No more of that; I have noted it well.
The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.
Note
To record in writing; to make a memorandum of.
Every unguarded word . . . was noted down.
Note
To charge, as with crime (with of or for before the thing charged); to brand.
They were both noted of incontinency.
Note
To denote; to designate.
Note
To annotate.
Note
To set down in musical characters.
Note
Know not; knows not.
Note
Nut.
Note
Need; needful business.
Note
A mark or token by which a thing may be known; a visible sign; a character; a distinctive mark or feature; a characteristic quality.
Whosoever appertain to the visible body of the church, they have also the notes of external profession.
She [the Anglican church] has the note of possession, the note of freedom from party titles,the note of life - a tough life and a vigorous.
What a note of youth, of imagination, of impulsive eagerness, there was through it all !
Note
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.
Note
A brief remark; a marginal comment or explanation; hence, an annotation on a text or author; a comment; a critical, explanatory, or illustrative observation.
The best writers have been perplexed with notes, and obscured with illustrations.
Note
A brief writing intended to assist the memory; a memorandum; a minute.
Note
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.
Note
A short informal letter; a billet.
Note
A diplomatic missive or written communication.
Note
A written or printed paper acknowledging a debt, and promising payment; as, a promissory note; a note of hand; a negotiable note.
Note
A list of items or of charges; an account.
Here is now the smith's note for shoeing.
Note
A character, variously formed, to indicate the length of a tone, and variously placed upon the staff to indicate its pitch. Hence:
The wakeful bird . . . tunes her nocturnal note.
That note of revolt against the eighteenth century, which we detect in Goethe, was struck by Winckelmann.
Note
Observation; notice; heed.
Give orders to my servants that they takeNo note at all of our being absent hence.
Note
Notification; information; intelligence.
The king . . . shall have note of this.
Note
State of being under observation.
Small matters . . . continually in use and in note.
Note
Reputation; distinction; as, a poet of note.
There was scarce a family of note which had not poured out its blood on the field or the scaffold.
Note
Stigma; brand; reproach.
Note
A short personal letter;
Drop me a line when you get there
Note
A brief written record;
He made a note of the appointment
Note
A characteristic emotional quality;
It ended on a sour note
There was a note of gaiety in her manner
He detected a note of sarcasm
Note
A piece of paper money (especially one issued by a central bank);
He peeled off five one-thousand-zloty notes
Note
A notation representing the pitch and duration of a musical sound;
The singer held the note too long
Note
A comment or instruction (usually added);
His notes were appended at the end of the article
He added a short notation to the address on the envelope
Note
High status importance owing to marked superiority;
A scholar of great eminence
Note
A tone of voice that shows what the speaker is feeling;
There was a note of uncertainty in his voice
Note
A promise to pay a specified amount on demand or at a certain time;
I had to co-sign his note at the bank
Note
Make mention of;
She observed that his presentation took up too much time
They noted that it was a fine day to go sailing
Note
Notice or perceive;
She noted that someone was following her
Mark my words
Note
Observe with care or pay close attention to;
Take note of this chemical reaction
Note
Make a written note of;
She noted everything the teacher said that morning
Note
To observe carefully or take special notice.
Note the color change in the solution during the experiment.
Note
A single tone of definite pitch made by a musical instrument or the human voice.
The violinist played a high note that resonated throughout the hall.
Note
A characteristic emotion quality or atmosphere.
The note of urgency in his voice was unmistakable.
Common Curiosities
Is "denote" the same as "indicate"?
Similar, but "denote" often refers to more symbolic or representational indications.
Does "denote" involve interpretation?
Yes, "denote" often requires understanding implicit or symbolic meanings.
Can "note" be something physical?
Yes, a "note" can also be a physical record, like a piece of paper with information written on it.
Can "note" refer to audio cues?
Yes, in music, a "note" is a sound with a specific pitch and duration.
Does "denote" have a noun form?
Less commonly used, but it's "denotation."
Can "note" be used in a formal setting?
Absolutely, "note" is versatile and used in both formal and informal contexts.
Can "denote" be used in everyday language?
It's more common in academic or formal language, less so in casual conversation.
Can "denote" relate to emotions?
Indirectly, as certain signs or symbols might denote particular emotions.
Are there synonyms for "note"?
Yes, some synonyms include remark, record, observe, and mention.
Is "note" action-oriented?
Often, it involves the act of noticing or recording something.
Can "note" be subjective?
Yes, what one chooses to note can be influenced by personal biases or perspectives.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
