Notice vs. Note — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
"Notice" refers to the act of observing or acknowledging something, while "Note" means to record information, or it can also refer to a brief written record.
Difference Between Notice and Note
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
To notice is to become aware of, whereas to note is often to make a record of. While one may notice details in their environment, they may note something down to remember or discuss it later.
Noticing can be unintentional or passive, such as noticing a smell. Note-taking, on the other hand, is an active process where one deliberately records information.
The term notice can also refer to a formal declaration or warning, such as a notice of eviction. In contrast, a note can be a financial term, referring to a promise to pay a debt, like a promissory note.
When one gives notice, they are informing others of something, which could be their intention to leave a job. To give a note usually means to provide someone with a piece of written information.
One might notice a note left on the table, using both terms: notice for the act of observing and note referring to the message that has been written down.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Observing or acknowledging
Recording or a brief record
Action
Passive or unintentional
Active or deliberate
Form
Can be verbal or non-verbal
Usually written or typed
Context
General awareness or warnings
Information recording or promises
Duration
Momentary
Can be for reference over time
Compare with Definitions
Notice
Observation.
She didn't notice the change in weather.
Note
Musical tone.
He hit the high note perfectly.
Notice
Formal warning.
They received a notice to vacate the premises.
Note
Monetary promise.
They signed a pmissory note for the loan.
Notice
Awareness.
I didn’t notice you enter the room.
Note
A brief record, especially one written down to aid the memory
Took notes on the lecture.
Notice
Acknowledgment.
He nodded to notice her achievement.
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.
Notice
Public announcement.
A notice was posted about the upcoming meeting.
Note
A brief informal letter
Sent a note to the child's teacher.
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.
Note
A formal written diplomatic or official communication.
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
Note
A piece of paper currency.
Notice
Notification or warning of something, especially to allow preparations to be made
Interest rates are subject to fluctuation without notice
Note
A debt security, usually with a maturity of ten years or less.
Notice
A displayed sheet or placard giving news or information
The jobs were advertised in a notice posted in the common room
Note
A promissory note.
Notice
Become aware of
I noticed that she was looking tired
They were too drunk to notice
He noticed the youths behaving suspiciously
Note
A tone of definite pitch.
Notice
The act of noting or observing; perception or attention
That detail escaped my notice.
Note
A symbol for such a tone, indicating pitch by its position on the staff and duration by its shape.
Notice
Respectful attention or consideration
Grateful for the teacher's notice.
Note
A key of an instrument, such as a piano.
Notice
A written or printed announcement
A notice of sale.
Note
The characteristic vocal sound made by a songbird or other animal
The clear note of a cardinal.
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.
Note
The sign of a particular quality or emotion
A note of despair in his remarks.
A note of gaiety in her manner.
Notice
The condition of being formally warned or notified
Put us on notice for chronic lateness.
Note
A distinctive component of a complex flavor or aroma
A full-bodied wine with notes of cherry and musk.
Notice
A printed critical review, as of a play or book.
Note
Importance; consequence
Nothing of note happened.
Notice
To take notice of; observe
Noticed a figure in the doorway. ].
Note
Notice; observation
Quietly took note of the scene.
Notice
The act of observing; perception.
He took no notice of the changes, and went on as though nothing had happened.
Note
(Obsolete) A song, melody, or tune.
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.
Note
To observe carefully; notice
Note the difference between these two plants. ].
Notice
(countable) A formal notification or warning.
The sidewalk adjacent to the damaged bridge stonework shall be closed until further notice.
Note
A symbol or annotation.
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.
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.
Notice
(countable) A published critical review of a play or the like.
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.
Notice
(uncountable) Prior notification.
I don't mind if you want to change the venue; just give me some notice first, OK?
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.
Notice
(dated) Attention; respectful treatment; civility.
Note
A written or printed communication or commitment.
Notice
To remark upon; to mention.
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.
Notice
(transitive) To become aware of; to observe.
Did you notice the flowers in her yard?
Note
A short informal letter; a billet.
Notice
To lavish attention upon; to treat (someone) favourably.
Note
(academic) An academic treatise (often without regard to length); a treatment; a discussion paper; (loosely) any contribution to an academic discourse.
Notice
(intransitive) To be noticeable; to show.
Note
A diplomatic missive or written communication.
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!
Note
(finance) A written or printed paper acknowledging a debt, and promising payment
A promissory note
A note of hand
A negotiable note
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.
Note
(obsolete) A list of items or of charges; an account.
Notice
An announcement, often accompanied by comments or remarks; as, book notices; theatrical notices.
Note
A piece of paper money; a banknote.
I didn't have any coins to pay with, so I used a note.
Notice
A writing communicating information or warning.
Note
(extension) A small size of paper used for writing letters or notes.
Notice
Attention; respectful treatment; civility.
Note
(music) A sound.
Notice
To observe; to see; to mark; to take note of; to heed; to pay attention to.
Note
A character, variously formed, to indicate the length of a tone, and variously placed upon the staff to indicate its pitch.
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.
Note
A musical sound; a tone; an utterance; a tune.
Notice
To treat with attention and civility; as, to notice strangers.
Note
(by extension) A key of the piano or organ.
Notice
An announcement containing information about a future event;
You didn't give me enough notice
Note
(by extension) A call or song of a bird.
Notice
The act of noticing or paying attention;
He escaped the notice of the police
Note
(uncountable) Observation; notice; heed.
Notice
A request for payment;
The notification stated the grace period and the penalties for defaulting
Note
(uncountable) Reputation; distinction.
A poet of note
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
Note
A critical comment.
Your performance was fantastic! I have just one note: you were a little flat in bars 35 and 36.
Notice
A sign posted in a public place as an advertisement;
A poster advertised the coming attractions
Note
(obsolete) Notification; information; intelligence.
Notice
Polite or favorable attention;
His hard work soon attracted the teacher's notice
Note
(obsolete) Mark of disgrace.
Notice
A short critical review;
The play received good notices
Note
That which is needed or necessary; business; duty; work.
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
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.
Notice
Notice or perceive;
She noted that someone was following her
Mark my words
Note
(transitive) To notice with care; to observe; to remark; to heed.
If you look to the left, you can note the old cathedral.
Notice
Make or write a comment on;
He commented the paper of his colleague
Note
(transitive) To record in writing; to make a memorandum of.
We noted his speech.
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
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
Record.
Take a note of the meeting highlights.
Note
Brief written message.
She left a note on the fridge.
Note
Noteworthy point.
The speaker made an interesting note on the subject.
Common Curiosities
Can "notice" be used as a noun and a verb?
Yes, "notice" can be both a noun (announcement) and a verb (to observe).
How long does a notice usually last?
The duration of notice depends on its context, like a two-week job resignation notice.
What does "notice" mean?
"Notice" means to observe or become aware of something.
Is "note" always something written?
Usually, but "note" can also refer to a musical tone or noting something mentally.
What is a legal notice?
A legal notice is a formal notification required by law in certain situations.
What does "note" mean?
"Note" means to write down information or refers to a brief written record.
Are notes always short?
Often, but notes can also be detailed like lecture notes or meeting minutes.
What is a notice period?
The time between when notice is given and an action takes effect, like leaving a job.
What does "take notice" mean?
It means to pay special attention to something.
Is it correct to say "notice me"?
Yes, it's a request for someone to pay attention to you.
Can "note" be used in finance?
Yes, as in a promissory note, a financial instrument denoting a promise to pay.
What are "notes" in music?
They are symbols representing the pitch and duration of a musical sound.
Can a "note" be informal?
Yes, notes can be informal, like a sticky note reminder.
What does "note to self" mean?
It's a reminder one writes for themselves.
How can I improve my note-taking?
By using organized methods, like outlining or the Cornell note-taking system.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
