A2verb1K

Notice

UK /["/ˈnəʊtɪs/","/ˈnəʊtɪsɪz/","/ˈnəʊtɪst/","/ˈnəʊtɪsɪŋ/"]/US /["/ˈnəʊtɪs/","/ˈnəʊtɪsɪz/","/ˈnəʊtɪst/","/ˈnəʊtɪsɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to see or hear somebody/something; to become aware of somebody/something

In simple words: to see or pay attention to something

Examples

  • I didn't notice the time passing while I was reading.
  • Please notice the changes made in your assignment.
  • Did you notice how beautiful the sunset was last night?
  • She didn't notice that her shirt was inside out.
  • It's important to notice the small details in your work.

Usage notes

Use 'notice' when you become aware of something. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, but more formal contexts might use 'observe' instead.

Grammar pattern

notice + object

Memory hint

Think of 'notice' as a 'note' you take when you see something.

Collocations

  • not even
  • not really
  • barely
  • fail to
  • not appear to
  • not seem to
  • can’t help but notice something
  • can’t help noticing something
  • the first thing I, he, etc. noticed
  • not even
  • not really
  • barely
  • fail to
  • not appear to
  • not seem to
  • can’t help but notice something
  • can’t help noticing something
  • the first thing I, he, etc. noticed

Synonyms

  • observe
  • see
  • detect
  • recognize
  • perceive

Antonyms

  • ignore
  • overlook

Common mistakes

  • 'Notice' is sometimes confused with 'notify' — 'to notify' means to inform someone.
  • Learners may use 'noticing' incorrectly as a noun; the correct noun is 'notice'.
  • Some learners forget to use 'notice' in the simple past form 'noticed' when talking about past events.