notice
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The act of perceiving or becoming aware of something through the senses; to observe or pay attention to.
A written or printed announcement or warning; the period before a contract or agreement ends (e.g., giving notice to quit a job); formal attention or recognition, especially of artistic or professional merit.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions as both a countable and uncountable noun, and as a verb. As a noun, its meaning ranges from a physical announcement to an abstract state of awareness. The verb form implies a deliberate act of observation, often but not always implying a conclusion drawn from what is seen.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In legal/administrative contexts, 'notice' in British English is often part of fixed phrases like 'notice to quit' (for ending a tenancy). American English may use 'eviction notice' more commonly. The noun 'notice period' is slightly more frequent in UK business contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties share core connotations. The phrase 'at short notice' (UK) is equivalent to 'on short notice' (US).
Frequency
The word is equally frequent and core in both dialects. Minor spelling differences in derived forms (noticing/noticed).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] notice [Object][Subject] notice [that-clause][Subject] notice [Object] [Verb-ing][Subject] notice [Object] + infinitive (rare)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “at a moment's notice”
- “bring to someone's notice”
- “escape someone's notice”
- “not take any notice”
- “serve notice”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to official communication of termination, policy changes, or meetings (e.g., 'Please give two weeks' notice.').
Academic
Used to discuss the act of observation in research or the critical recognition of a work or author.
Everyday
Commonly used for observing details or seeing posted announcements (e.g., on a noticeboard).
Technical
In law, a formal notification or knowledge of a fact that affects legal rights or duties.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Did you notice the new sign on the High Street?
- I couldn't help but notice you'd had your hair cut.
American English
- She noticed a typo in the contract right away.
- Did anyone notice the manager leaving early?
adverb
British English
- Not applicable (no standard adverbial form).
American English
- Not applicable (no standard adverbial form).
adjective
British English
- The notice period in my contract is one month.
- A notice board in the hallway listed local events.
American English
- The notice period is outlined in your handbook.
- Check the notice board for the meeting schedule.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I notice a cat in the garden.
- There is a notice on the door.
- Did you notice that she was upset?
- The company gave him a month's notice.
- He resigned with immediate notice, leaving the team in a difficult position.
- A keen observer will notice the subtle symbolism in the painting.
- The tenant served notice to the landlord, citing uninhabitable conditions.
- Her groundbreaking work is beginning to receive serious critical notice.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a NOTE on an ICE cube – you'd definitely NOTICE a note stuck in ice!
Conceptual Metaphor
AWARENESS IS LIGHT ('It dawned on me'), COMMUNICATION IS A CONTAINER ('The notice contained important information'), and IGNORANCE IS DARKNESS ('It escaped my notice').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating Russian 'извещение' or 'уведомление' as 'notice' for every official document; 'notification' is often more accurate.
- Russian 'заметить' (verb) maps closely, but beware of false friend 'нотис' (not used in English).
- The phrase 'to give notice' is a fixed legal/employment term not directly equivalent to просто 'предупредить'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'notice' with 'note' as a verb (Note = write down/mention specifically; Notice = become aware of).
- Using 'realize' instead of 'notice' (realize implies understanding, notice implies sensory perception).
- Incorrect preposition: 'on a short notice' instead of 'at/on short notice'.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'His talent finally received the notice it deserved,' what is the closest meaning of 'notice'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'To notice' means to become aware of something through your senses. 'To note' often means to notice AND mentally record the information, or to mention something specifically.
Not necessarily. You can 'notice something out of the corner of your eye' (semi-accidental), but it implies a level of awareness. If you completely fail to see it, you 'didn't notice' it.
Yes, though less common. It's used to emphasize the ongoing process of observation (e.g., 'I've been noticing a lot of errors lately').
It means with very little warning or time for preparation before something happens. 'Short-notice meeting'.