Note vs. Letter: What's the Difference?
Reviewed by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 1, 2023
A note is a brief written record or reminder, while a letter is a written communication sent to someone else.
Key Differences
A note is typically a short, informal piece of writing used to jot down information or a reminder. On the other hand, a letter is a formal or informal written communication addressed to an individual or organization, often sent through mail.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
The primary function of a note is to serve as a quick reference, memory aid, or reminder. In contrast, a letter serves the purpose of conveying a message, information, or feelings to a recipient.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Notes are usually brief and to the point, often lacking in extensive detail. Letters can range from short to long and typically provide more comprehensive information or express detailed sentiments.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
While notes can be informal and are not always addressed to someone, letters often have a designated recipient and can be both formal and informal.
Sara Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
Notes are common in academic, professional, and personal settings as reminders or annotations. Letters, while still prevalent, have seen reduced usage due to digital communication methods but remain important in formal communications, personal relationships, and certain business contexts.
Sara Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
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Note and Letter Definitions
Note
A brief record of facts or details.
She jotted down a note about the meeting time.
Janet White
Oct 13, 2023
Letter
A symbol or character representing a sound in speech.
The letter A is the first in the alphabet.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Note
A short informal letter or written message.
I left a note for you on the fridge.
Sara Rehman
Oct 13, 2023
Letter
A formal declaration or document.
The employee handed in his resignation letter.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Note
A sign or token of remembrance.
He gave her a rose as a note of appreciation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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Note
A brief record, especially one written down to aid the memory
Took notes on the lecture.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A written symbol or character representing a speech sound and being a component of an alphabet.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A written symbol or character used in the graphemic representation of a word, such as the h in Thames. See Note at Thames.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A written or printed communication directed to a person or organization.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
A symbol for such a tone, indicating pitch by its position on the staff and duration by its shape.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
The characteristic vocal sound made by a songbird or other animal
The clear note of a cardinal.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
The sign of a particular quality or emotion
A note of despair in his remarks.
A note of gaiety in her manner.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
An emblem in the shape of the initial of a school awarded for outstanding performance, especially in varsity athletics.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
A distinctive component of a complex flavor or aroma
A full-bodied wine with notes of cherry and musk.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
To earn a school letter, as for outstanding athletic achievement
She lettered in three collegiate sports.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
To observe carefully; notice
Note the difference between these two plants. ].
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A symbol in an alphabet.
There are twenty-six letters in the English alphabet.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A written or printed communication, generally longer and more formal than a note.
I wrote a letter to my sister about my life.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
The literal meaning of something, as distinguished from its intended and remoter meaning (the spirit).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
Literature.
Benjamin Franklin was multiskilled – a scientist, politician and a man of letters.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
(law) A division unit of a piece of law marked by a letter of the alphabet.
Letter (b) constitutes an exception to this provision.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A size of paper, 8½ in × 11 in (215.9 mm × 279.4 mm, US paper sizes rounded to the nearest 5 mm).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
(academic) An academic treatise (often without regard to length); a treatment; a discussion paper; (loosely) any contribution to an academic discourse.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
(finance) A written or printed paper acknowledging a debt, and promising payment
A promissory note
A note of hand
A negotiable note
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
A piece of paper money; a banknote.
I didn't have any coins to pay with, so I used a note.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
A character, variously formed, to indicate the length of a tone, and variously placed upon the staff to indicate its pitch.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A mark or character used as the representative of a sound, or of an articulation of the human organs of speech; a first element of written language.
And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A written or printed communication; a message expressed in intelligible characters on something adapted to conveyance, as paper, parchment, etc.; an epistle.
The style of letters ought to be free, easy, and natural.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
Verbal expression; literal statement or meaning; exact signification or requirement.
We must observe the letter of the law, without doing violence to the reason of the law and the intention of the lawgiver.
I broke the letter of it to keep the sense.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A single type; type, collectively; a style of type.
Under these buildings . . . was the king's printing house, and that famous letter so much esteemed.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
A critical comment.
Your performance was fantastic! I have just one note: you were a little flat in bars 35 and 36.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A telegram longer than an ordinary message sent at rates lower than the standard message rate in consideration of its being sent and delivered subject to priority in service of regular messages. Such telegrams are called by the Western Union Company day letters, or night letters according to the time of sending, and by The Postal Telegraph Company day lettergrams, or night lettergrams.
A strange lock that opens with AMEN.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
To impress with letters; to mark with letters or words; as, a book gilt and lettered.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A written message addressed to a person or organization;
Mailed an indignant letter to the editor
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
The conventional characters of the alphabet used to represent speech;
His grandmother taught him his letters
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A strictly literal interpretation (as distinct from the intention);
He followed instructions to the letter
He obeyed the letter of the law
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
(transitive) To record in writing; to make a memorandum of.
We noted his speech.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
An award earned by participation in a school sport;
He won letters in three sports
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
(transitive) To denote; to designate.
The modular multiplicative inverse of x may be noted x-1.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
Owner who lets another person use something (housing usually) for hire
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A written message sent to a person.
She received a letter from her friend overseas.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Letter
A piece of printed or written matter.
She read the letter in the newspaper.
Sara Rehman
Oct 13, 2023
Note
To record in writing; to make a memorandum of.
Every unguarded word . . . was noted down.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
To charge, as with crime (with of or for before the thing charged); to brand.
They were both noted of incontinency.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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 !
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
A written or printed paper acknowledging a debt, and promising payment; as, a promissory note; a note of hand; a negotiable note.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
A list of items or of charges; an account.
Here is now the smith's note for shoeing.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
Observation; notice; heed.
Give orders to my servants that they takeNo note at all of our being absent hence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
Notification; information; intelligence.
The king . . . shall have note of this.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
State of being under observation.
Small matters . . . continually in use and in note.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
A piece of paper money (especially one issued by a central bank);
He peeled off five one-thousand-zloty notes
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
A notation representing the pitch and duration of a musical sound;
The singer held the note too long
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
High status importance owing to marked superiority;
A scholar of great eminence
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
A tone of voice that shows what the speaker is feeling;
There was a note of uncertainty in his voice
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 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
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
Notice or perceive;
She noted that someone was following her
Mark my words
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
Observe with care or pay close attention to;
Take note of this chemical reaction
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
Make a written note of;
She noted everything the teacher said that morning
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 12, 2023
Note
An annotation or explanation.
There's a note at the bottom of the page about the source.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
FAQs
Are letters becoming obsolete?
While traditional letters are less common due to digital communication, they still hold significance in various contexts.
Harlon Moss
Nov 01, 2023
Is a note always short?
While notes are typically brief, they can vary in length based on purpose.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Are sticky notes popular?
Yes, sticky notes are a popular tool for quick reminders and annotations.
Sara Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
Can a note be addressed to someone?
Yes, while notes often serve personal reminders, they can be addressed to others.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
How is a business letter different from a personal letter?
A business letter follows a formal structure and tone, addressing professional matters, while personal letters are more relaxed and personal.
Janet White
Nov 01, 2023
Can a letter be sent digitally?
Yes, electronic letters, often called emails, are common in the digital age.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Are musical notes and written notes the same?
No, musical notes represent sound, while written notes represent information or reminders.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
What's the history of letter writing?
Letter writing dates back to ancient civilizations and was a primary method of long-distance communication.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Can a letter be informal?
Absolutely, letters can be both formal and informal based on the context and relationship.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Can notes be organized in a book?
Yes, many people use notebooks or notepads to organize their notes.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 01, 2023
Can a note be digital?
Yes, digital note-taking tools and apps are popular in today's tech era.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
How is a note different from a memo?
While both are brief, a memo is often more formal and used for internal business communications.
Sara Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
Is postage required for a letter?
For traditional mail, yes, but not for digital letters or emails.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 01, 2023
What is a "letter of intent"?
It's a formal letter outlining one's intentions or actions in specific situations, often in legal or business contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Are hand-written letters still popular?
While less common, handwritten letters are cherished for their personal touch and sentiment.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Can a note be an annotation?
Yes, notes can serve as annotations or added explanations on texts or documents.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 01, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Reviewed by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
