Meaning & use
noticed
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“noticed” is a form of “notice”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Became aware of something by seeing, hearing or feeling it, often without trying to.
Grammar: Takes an object: she noticed the smell.
Patterns
- notice something
- notice someone doing something
I noticed a small crack in the window this morning.
She noticed him standing at the back of the room.
Nobody noticed the missing book for days.
verbtransitive
Realized or observed a fact, usually followed by that, how or whether.
Grammar: Takes a clause as the object: he noticed that the door was open.
Patterns
- notice that something happens
- notice how something is
- notice whether something is true
He noticed that the lights were still on.
I noticed how quiet the street had become.
Did you notice whether the shop was open?
verbtransitive
Gave special attention to someone, so that others recognize their ability or presence, mostly in the passive.
Grammar: Usually passive: she was noticed by a talent scout.
Patterns
- be noticed by someone
- get noticed
The young singer was noticed by a record producer.
His hard work was finally noticed by the manager.
She dyed her hair bright blue to get noticed.
Word forms
| base form | notice |
|---|---|
| third person singular | notices |
| past participle | noticed |
| -ing form | noticing |
Common combinations
- noticed a change
- We noticed a change in his mood after the holiday.
- barely noticed
- She barely noticed the rain as she walked.
- noticed out of the corner of the eye
- I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye.
- get noticed
- Bold packaging helps products get noticed on crowded shelves.
- noticed in time
- The leak was noticed in time to save the carpet.
Synonyms and how they differ
- spotted
- Spotted suggests picking out something specific, often quickly or from a distance, while noticed is more general.
- observed
- Observed is more formal and implies watching carefully, whereas noticed can happen by accident.
- detected
- Detected is used for finding something faint or hidden, often with instruments or effort.
Opposites
Word family
- notice verb
- to become aware of something
- noticeable adjective
- easy to see or detect
- noticeably adverb
- in a clearly visible way
- unnoticed adjective
- not seen by anyone
Commonly confused: noticed or noted?
noticed vs noted
Noted can mean written down or well known, while noticed means became aware of.
Practice
When I got home, I ___ that the front door was slightly open.
Choose one answer.
Noticed takes a that clause and means became aware. Regarded and announced do not take that clause in this sense, and witnessed to is not standard.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “noticed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.