Ask Difference

Notice vs. Circular — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
Notice is a brief formal announcement. Circular is a message distributed to a large audience.
Notice vs. Circular — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Notice and Circular

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Key Differences

A "Notice" often conveys short, pertinent information intended to inform a specific group of people about a particular issue, event, or action. On the other hand, a "Circular" is a letter or advertisement intended for mass distribution, generally to disseminate information to a wide audience, such as in an organization or a community.
In essence, a "Notice" serves to formally notify or inform relevant individuals about upcoming events or actions and is usually precise and to the point. A "Circular," conversely, may offer detailed information or explanations and is circulated among a broad audience to ensure widespread distribution of the specified message.
Notices are typically characterized by their brevity and are oftentimes legally binding, with implications for failure to adhere to them. A "Circular," however, may or may not carry legal weight and generally serves to inform, advertise, or explain certain events, policies, or products to a vast audience.
"Notice" often implies an element of formality and urgency, which is commonly used to inform people about critical details that require attention or action. "Circular" implies a broader dissemination of information, without the stringent need for immediate action or the same level of formality.

Comparison Chart

Purpose

To inform or alert a specific group.
To disseminate information widely.
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Audience

Limited, specific audience.
Broad, general audience.

Length & Detail

Typically brief and to the point.
Can be detailed and explanatory.

Legal Implication

Often carries legal weight.
May or may not have legal implications.

Formality & Urgency

Tends to be formal and possibly urgent.
Less formal and generally not urgent.

Compare with Definitions

Notice

An announcement to convey information.
The company posted a notice about the upcoming holiday.

Circular

A letter or advertisement for mass distribution.
We received a circular from the local grocery store.

Notice

A formal warning or notification.
The tenant received a notice to vacate the premises.

Circular

Pertaining to a circle.
The circular motion of the wheel was mesmerizing.

Notice

Notice is the legal concept describing a requirement that a party be aware of legal process affecting their rights, obligations or duties. There are several types of notice: public notice (or legal notice), actual notice, constructive notice, and implied notice.

Circular

A traveling or moving around.
The circular migration of birds is fascinating to observe.

Notice

The fact of observing or paying attention to something
It has come to our notice that you have been missing school
Their silence did not escape my notice

Circular

Of or relating to a circle.

Notice

Notification or warning of something, especially to allow preparations to be made
Interest rates are subject to fluctuation without notice

Circular

Shaped like or nearly like a circle; round.

Notice

A displayed sheet or placard giving news or information
The jobs were advertised in a notice posted in the common room

Circular

Moving in or forming a circle.

Notice

Become aware of
I noticed that she was looking tired
They were too drunk to notice
He noticed the youths behaving suspiciously

Circular

Circuitous; roundabout
Took a circular route to the office.

Notice

The act of noting or observing; perception or attention
That detail escaped my notice.

Circular

Using a premise to prove a conclusion that in turn is used to prove the premise
A circular argument.

Notice

Respectful attention or consideration
Grateful for the teacher's notice.

Circular

Defining one word in terms of another that is itself defined in terms of the first word.

Notice

A written or printed announcement
A notice of sale.

Circular

Addressed or distributed to a large number of persons.

Notice

A formal announcement, notification, or warning, especially an announcement of one's intention to withdraw from an agreement or leave a job
Gave my employer two weeks' notice.
Raised the price without notice.

Circular

A printed advertisement, directive, or notice intended for mass distribution.

Notice

The condition of being formally warned or notified
Put us on notice for chronic lateness.

Circular

Of or relating to a circle.

Notice

A printed critical review, as of a play or book.

Circular

In the shape of, or moving in a circle.

Notice

To take notice of; observe
Noticed a figure in the doorway. ].

Circular

Circuitous or roundabout.

Notice

The act of observing; perception.
He took no notice of the changes, and went on as though nothing had happened.

Circular

Referring back to itself, so as to prevent computation or comprehension; infinitely recursive.
Circular reasoning
Your dictionary defines "brave" as "courageous", and "courageous" as "brave". That's a circular definition.
A circular formula in a spreadsheet
I changed the definition of "sex" from "to have sex" to "to have sexual intercourse"; a dictionary definition must never be circular; using the word being defined to define itself.

Notice

(countable) A written or printed announcement.
Shall we post a notice about the new policy?
I always read the death notices in the paper.

Circular

Distributed to a large number of persons.

Notice

(countable) A formal notification or warning.
The sidewalk adjacent to the damaged bridge stonework shall be closed until further notice.

Circular

(obsolete) Perfect; complete.

Notice

Advance notification of termination of employment, given by an employer to an employee or vice versa.
I gave her her mandatory two weeks' notice and sacked her.
I can't work here any longer. I'm giving notice.

Circular

(archaic) Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence, mean; inferior.

Notice

(countable) A published critical review of a play or the like.

Circular

Syn of flyer: a printed advertisement, directive, or notice intended for mass circulation.

Notice

(uncountable) Prior notification.
I don't mind if you want to change the venue; just give me some notice first, OK?

Circular

(dated) A sleeveless cloak cut from a circular pattern.

Notice

(dated) Attention; respectful treatment; civility.

Circular

A shuttle bus with a circular route.

Notice

To remark upon; to mention.

Circular

To distribute circulars to or at.

Notice

(transitive) To become aware of; to observe.
Did you notice the flowers in her yard?

Circular

To extend in a circular direction.

Notice

To lavish attention upon; to treat (someone) favourably.

Circular

In the form of, or bounded by, a circle; round.

Notice

(intransitive) To be noticeable; to show.

Circular

Repeating itself; ending in itself; reverting to the point of beginning; hence, illogical; inconclusive; as, circular reasoning.

Notice

The act of noting, remarking, or observing; observation by the senses or intellect; cognizance; note.
How ready is envy to mingle with the notices we take of other persons!

Circular

Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence, mean; inferior. See Cyclic poets, under Cyclic.
Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered to history, how could the Romans have had Dido?

Notice

Intelligence, by whatever means communicated; knowledge given or received; means of knowledge; express notification; announcement; warning.
I . . . have given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here.

Circular

Addressed to a circle, or to a number of persons having a common interest; circulated, or intended for circulation; as, a circular letter.
A proclamation of Henry III., . . . doubtless circular throughout England.

Notice

An announcement, often accompanied by comments or remarks; as, book notices; theatrical notices.

Circular

Perfect; complete.
A man so absolute and circularIn all those wished-for rarities that may takeA virgin captive.

Notice

A writing communicating information or warning.

Circular

A circular letter, or paper, usually printed, copies of which are addressed or given to various persons; as, a business circular.

Notice

Attention; respectful treatment; civility.

Circular

A sleeveless cloak, cut in circular form.

Notice

To observe; to see; to mark; to take note of; to heed; to pay attention to.

Circular

An advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution;
He mailed the circular to all subscribers

Notice

To show that one has observed; to take public note of; remark upon; to make comments on; to refer to; as, to notice a book.
This plant deserves to be noticed in this place.
Another circumstance was noticed in connection with the suggestion last discussed.

Circular

Having a circular shape

Notice

To treat with attention and civility; as, to notice strangers.

Circular

Shaped like a ring

Notice

An announcement containing information about a future event;
You didn't give me enough notice

Circular

Marked by or moving in a circle

Notice

The act of noticing or paying attention;
He escaped the notice of the police

Circular

Having the form of a circle.
They sat in a circular arrangement.

Notice

A request for payment;
The notification stated the grace period and the penalties for defaulting

Circular

Not direct; roundabout.
The politician gave a circular answer to avoid the question.

Notice

Advance notification (usually written) of the intention to withdraw from an arrangement or contract;
We received a notice to vacate the premises
He gave notice two months before he moved

Notice

A sign posted in a public place as an advertisement;
A poster advertised the coming attractions

Notice

Polite or favorable attention;
His hard work soon attracted the teacher's notice

Notice

A short critical review;
The play received good notices

Notice

Discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of;
She detected high levels of lead in her drinking water
We found traces of lead in the paint

Notice

Notice or perceive;
She noted that someone was following her
Mark my words

Notice

Make or write a comment on;
He commented the paper of his colleague

Notice

Express recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with;
He never acknowledges his colleagues when they run into him in the hallway
She acknowledged his complement with a smile
It is important to acknowledge the work of others in one's own writing

Notice

Conscious awareness.
The hidden door escaped her notice.

Notice

A brief review or critique.
The play received a favorable notice in the newspaper.

Notice

To observe or pay attention to something.
Did you notice the details in the painting?

Common Curiosities

What type of information is typically found in a circular?

Circulars may contain informative, promotional, or explanatory content.

What is the main purpose of a notice?

To inform or alert a specific group about an event or issue.

Who usually issues circulars?

Organizations, businesses, or governments typically issue circulars.

What is a typical feature of a circular’s language?

Circular language tends to be less formal and urgent than notices.

Are notices legally binding?

Notices can be legally binding, depending on their context and content.

Can a circular be brief and to the point?

Yes, but circulars can also be detailed and explanatory, unlike notices.

Can a notice be informal?

Notices are typically formal due to their often critical or legal nature.

Does a notice always require action?

Not always, but notices often imply a need for attention or action.

Is a circular intended for a specific audience?

No, circulars are typically intended for wide dissemination among a broad audience.

Can a notice be circulated widely like a circular?

It can be, but notices are usually directed at a specific group.

Can a circular have legal implications?

Sometimes, though it's not as common as with notices.

How is a circular typically distributed?

Circulars are usually sent through mail, email, or distributed in public places.

Is there a length requirement for a notice?

Notices are usually short, with concise and relevant information.

Where are notices usually displayed?

Notices are often displayed in noticeable areas like bulletin boards.

Is a notice used for advertising?

Notices are not typically used for advertising, unlike circulars.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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.

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