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Learn more English in a Minute
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(Clips: Getty)
Introduction
You might already know one meaning of 'note' – a short piece of writing, often used to help remember something. But do you know these four other meanings? Get to know the word 'note' with Georgie!
4 meanings of 'note'
notice or observe
If you note something, you take time to recognise or pay attention to it.
- Make sure to note the unusual wooden features of this house.
- I noted that your son did all the washing up – you have brought him up well!
write or record something for the future
If you note something, or note something down, you write it down or make some other record so that you don't forget about it.
- Thanks for the advice. I'll note that for next time.
- Make sure to note down the date of the test – you will need to revise.
musical sound
A note is a single musical tone, or the written symbol that shows its length and its pitch – how high or low it is.
- This song is hard to sing. It has a lot of high notes.
- I think the composer has written down the wrong note here – it sounds like it's clashing with the rest of the music.
paper money
A note or a banknote is money in the form of printed paper or paper-like material.
- Sorry, I don't have any small change. Is it OK to pay in notes?
- Hey! There were two £20 notes in my wallet when I gave it to you, and now there is only one!
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Download a free transcript!
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TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Georgie
You know that this is a note, don't you? But do you know these other meanings? 'To note something' can mean to notice it or observe it.
Example
Make sure to note the unusual wooden features of this house.
Georgie
It can also mean to write or record something for the future.
Example
Thanks for the advice. I'll note that for next time.
Georgie
A note can also be musical. A musical note is a sound in music – laaa! It tells us how high or low a sound is and how long it lasts.
Example
This song is hard to sing. It has a lot of high notes.
Georgie
A note is also paper money – these are banknotes. You can say banknote as one word or just a note on its own.
Example
Sorry, I don't have any small change. Is it OK to pay in notes?
Georgie
So, a note is paper money, a musical sound and a verb, which means to notice something or write it down. Which meanings of 'note' did you know?
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