sign, mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible.
sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason.
encouraging signs for the economy
mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance.
a mark of a good upbringing
token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible.
this gift is a token of our esteem
note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic.
a note of irony in her writing
symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition.
rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay
Examples of note in a Sentence
Verb
You may have noted my late arrival.
The thing to note here is that people are suffering.
It's interesting to note how quickly things have changed.
Their objections were duly noted.
As one official noted, the situation has begun to get out of control.
As noted above most people survive the disease.
“They've asked us to leave,” he noted with amusement. Noun
She wrote a note to remind herself about the appointment.
I left you a note on the kitchen table.
making notes in the margins of a book
She jotted down a few notes during the interview.
After class, I usually study my notes and read the next chapter.
I can't come to class today. Would you mind taking notes for me?
His secretary took notes during our meeting.
Please include a brief note about where the picture was taken.
He writes in the program notes that the play was inspired by his own childhood.
One final note: tickets will be available at the door the night of the concert.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Florida Today first reported on the FDLE investigation, noting that Phil Archer, the state attorney for Brevard and Seminole counties, transferred the case to avoid a conflict of interest or appearance of impropriety.—Annie Martin, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2024 But not all outings are sunshine and rainbows, and Franklin notes that staffers have been transparent about their bad dates as well.—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2024
Noun
Master perfumers the world over are exploring and reinterpreting these boozy notes in new and innovative ways.—Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 13 Aug. 2024 Two £5 notes with serial numbers ending in 88 and 888 were auctioned for £2,200 ($2,800) and £2,400 ($3,100).—Angelica Chiara Yazbeck, CNN, 13 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for note
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'note.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French noter, from Latin notare to mark, note, from nota
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin nota mark, character, written note
: a promissory note issued by a bank payable to bearer on demand but without interest and circulating as money
—cognovit note\käg-ˈnō-vit-, kōg- \
: a note in which the maker acknowledges the debt and authorizes the entry of judgment against him or her without notice or a hearing : a note containing a confession of judgment
—collateral note
: a note secured especially by a collateral mortgage and pledged to secure an obligation of which a hand note usually serves as evidence
—demand note
: a note payable on demand compare time note in this entry
—floating rate note
: a negotiable note that yields an indexed and periodically adjusted variable rate of interest
called alsofloater
—hand note
: a note for an obligation secured by a collateral note
—non-recourse note
: a note whose satisfaction upon default may be obtained only out of the collateral securing it
—promissory note
: a note containing an unconditional promise to pay on demand or at a fixed or determined future time a particular sum of money to or to the order of a specified person or to the bearer
—recourse note
: a note whose satisfaction upon default may be obtained from the debtor's assets other than and in addition to the collateral securing it
—renewal note
: a note that continues an obligation due under a previous note
—tax anticipation note
: a note issued by a state or municipality on pending tax revenue to fund immediate governmental expenditures
—time note
: a note payable at a specified time in the future compare demand note in this entry
—Treasury note
: a negotiable note issued by the U.S. government with a maturity date of one to ten years from the date of issue
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