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

➝ Key Differences ➝ Comparison Chart ➝ Definitions ➝ FAQs

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Key Differences

"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.

Oct 17, 2023

"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.

Oct 17, 2023

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.

Oct 17, 2023

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.

Oct 17, 2023

"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.

Oct 17, 2023

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Comparison Chart

Definition

To observe or record

To indicate or represent

Oct 17, 2023

Part of Speech

Used both as a verb and a noun

Primarily used as a verb

Oct 17, 2023

Context of Usage

Observation, documentation, music, communication

Semiotics, linguistics, symbolism

Oct 17, 2023

Implied Action

Recognition or recording of information

Understanding of a deeper meaning or representation

Oct 17, 2023

Dependency

Requires an object or subject

Requires a symbolic or systemic context

Oct 17, 2023

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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.

Oct 17, 2023

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.

Oct 17, 2023

Note

A short informal letter or written message.

I left a note for you on the fridge.

Oct 17, 2023

Denote

To be a sign of; indicate.

Dark clouds usually denote that rain is coming.

Oct 17, 2023

Note

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

Took notes on the lecture.

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

To be a name or designation for; mean.

The color red is often used to denote passion or danger.

Oct 17, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

To mark; indicate

A frown that denoted increasing impatience.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A brief informal letter

Sent a note to the child's teacher.

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

To serve as a symbol or name for the meaning of; signify

A flashing yellow light denotes caution.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A formal written diplomatic or official communication.

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A piece of paper currency.

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

(transitive) To indicate; to mark.

The yellow blazes denote the trail.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

(transitive) To make overt. en

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A promissory note.

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

(transitive) To refer to literally; to convey as meaning.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A tone of definite pitch.

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

To be the sign of; to betoken; to signify; to mean.

A general expression to denote wickedness of every sort.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A key of an instrument, such as a piano.

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

Be a sign or indication of;

Her smile denoted that she agreed

Feb 03, 2023

Note

The characteristic vocal sound made by a songbird or other animal

The clear note of a cardinal.

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

Have as a meaning;

`multi-' denotes `many'

Feb 03, 2023

Note

The sign of a particular quality or emotion

A note of despair in his remarks.

A note of gaiety in her manner.

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

Make known; make an announcement;

She denoted her feelings clearly

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A distinctive component of a complex flavor or aroma

A full-bodied wine with notes of cherry and musk.

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

To signify directly; refer to specifically.

The term freedom denotes a broad range of rights.

Oct 17, 2023

Note

Importance; consequence

Nothing of note happened.

Feb 03, 2023

Denote

To make known or to point out.

The skull and crossbones flag denotes pirates in popular culture.

Oct 17, 2023

Note

Notice; observation

Quietly took note of the scene.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

(Obsolete) A song, melody, or tune.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

To observe carefully; notice

Note the difference between these two plants. ].

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A symbol or annotation.

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A written or printed communication or commitment.

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A short informal letter; a billet.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A diplomatic missive or written communication.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

A promissory note

A note of hand

A negotiable note

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A piece of paper money; a banknote.

I didn't have any coins to pay with, so I used a note.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

Note

(music) A sound.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

Note

(uncountable) Observation; notice; heed.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

(uncountable) Reputation; distinction.

A poet of note

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A critical comment.

Your performance was fantastic! I have just one note: you were a little flat in bars 35 and 36.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

(obsolete) Notification; information; intelligence.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

(obsolete) Mark of disgrace.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

If you look to the left, you can note the old cathedral.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

We noted his speech.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

(transitive) To denote; to designate.

The modular multiplicative inverse of x may be noted x^-1.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

(transitive) To annotate.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

(transitive) To set down in musical characters.

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

To butt; to push with the horns.

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

To record in writing; to make a memorandum of.

Every unguarded word . . . was noted down.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

They were both noted of incontinency.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

To denote; to designate.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

To annotate.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

To set down in musical characters.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

Know not; knows not.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

Nut.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

Need; needful business.

Feb 03, 2023

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 !

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A short informal letter; a billet.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A diplomatic missive or written communication.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A list of items or of charges; an account.

Here is now the smith's note for shoeing.

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

Observation; notice; heed.

Give orders to my servants that they takeNo note at all of our being absent hence.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

Notification; information; intelligence.

The king . . . shall have note of this.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

State of being under observation.

Small matters . . . continually in use and in note.

Feb 03, 2023

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.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

Stigma; brand; reproach.

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A short personal letter;

Drop me a line when you get there

Feb 03, 2023

Note

A brief written record;

He made a note of the appointment

Feb 03, 2023

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

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

He peeled off five one-thousand-zloty notes

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

The singer held the note too long

Feb 03, 2023

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

Feb 03, 2023

Note

High status importance owing to marked superiority;

A scholar of great eminence

Feb 03, 2023

Note

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

There was a note of uncertainty in his voice

Feb 03, 2023

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

Feb 03, 2023

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

Feb 03, 2023

Note

Notice or perceive;

She noted that someone was following her

Mark my words

Feb 03, 2023

Note

Observe with care or pay close attention to;

Take note of this chemical reaction

Feb 03, 2023

Note

Make a written note of;

She noted everything the teacher said that morning

Feb 03, 2023

Note

To observe carefully or take special notice.

Note the color change in the solution during the experiment.

Oct 17, 2023

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.

Oct 17, 2023

Note

A characteristic emotion quality or atmosphere.

The note of urgency in his voice was unmistakable.

Oct 17, 2023

FAQs

Is "denote" the same as "indicate"?

Similar, but "denote" often refers to more symbolic or representational indications.

Oct 17, 2023

Does "denote" involve interpretation?

Yes, "denote" often requires understanding implicit or symbolic meanings.

Oct 17, 2023

Can "note" be something physical?

Yes, a "note" can also be a physical record, like a piece of paper with information written on it.

Oct 17, 2023

Can "note" refer to audio cues?

Yes, in music, a "note" is a sound with a specific pitch and duration.

Oct 17, 2023

Does "denote" have a noun form?

Less commonly used, but it's "denotation."

Oct 17, 2023

Can "note" be used in a formal setting?

Absolutely, "note" is versatile and used in both formal and informal contexts.

Oct 17, 2023

Can "denote" be used in everyday language?

It's more common in academic or formal language, less so in casual conversation.

Oct 17, 2023

Can "denote" relate to emotions?

Indirectly, as certain signs or symbols might denote particular emotions.

Oct 17, 2023

Are there synonyms for "note"?

Yes, some synonyms include remark, record, observe, and mention.

Oct 17, 2023

Is "note" action-oriented?

Often, it involves the act of noticing or recording something.

Oct 17, 2023

Can "note" be subjective?

Yes, what one chooses to note can be influenced by personal biases or perspectives.

Oct 17, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by

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.