Have you ever typed “noteable” and then paused because something about the spelling didn’t look quite right? If so, you’re not alone. Noteable or notable is a common spelling question because the word is related to note, making it tempting to insert an extra e before the -able ending.
The correct spelling is notable.
Noteable is generally considered a misspelling of notable in standard English. The word notable means worthy of attention, important, remarkable, or distinguished.
For example:
She made a notable contribution to the project.
In this article, we’ll explain why notable is correct, why noteable is a common mistake, how to pronounce and use the word, and how to remember the spelling.
Noteable or Notable: Which Is Correct?
The correct spelling is:
Notable
The incorrect or nonstandard spelling in ordinary English is:
Noteable
Although noteable may look logical because notable is associated with the word note, standard English spells the adjective notable without the extra e.
Notable
The scientist made a notable discovery.
Noteable
The scientist made a noteable discovery.
The second version contains an unnecessary e.
What Does Notable Mean?
Notable is an adjective that describes something or someone that deserves attention because it is important, unusual, impressive, or significant.
Depending on context, it can mean:
- Worth noticing
- Remarkable
- Significant
- Important
- Distinguished
- Prominent
- Memorable
For example:
The company experienced a notable increase in sales.
Here, notable means significant or worth noticing.
Another example:
She is a notable figure in the field of medicine.
Here, it means she is prominent or distinguished.
Why Is “Notable” Spelled Without the Extra E?
The spelling can be confusing because notable is connected historically to the word note.
You might reasonably expect:
note + able = noteable
But English spelling doesn’t always work by simply attaching a suffix to the modern spelling of a word.
The established spelling is:
notable
The e found in note does not remain in notable.
This is similar to other words where a final silent e disappears before certain suffixes.
For example:
- excite → excitable
- admire → admirable
- value → valuable
- use → usable
These patterns can help explain why noteable looks plausible but isn’t the standard spelling.
Notable Meaning in Different Contexts
The exact meaning of notable depends on how it is used.
Notable as “Remarkable”
The athlete achieved a notable performance.
Here, notable means remarkable or impressive.
Notable as “Significant”
There was a notable difference between the two results.
Here, it means significant or clearly noticeable.
Notable as “Important”
Several notable leaders attended the event.
Here, notable means important or prominent.
Notable as “Worthy of Attention”
The report contains several notable findings.
Here, the findings are worth paying attention to.
Notable vs. Noticeable
One reason notable can be confusing is that it resembles noticeable, but the two words aren’t always interchangeable.
Notable generally means worthy of attention because something is important, remarkable, or significant.
Noticeable means something can easily be observed or detected.
Compare:
The researcher made a notable discovery.
This suggests the discovery was significant or important.
Now:
There was a noticeable change in the temperature.
This means the change could clearly be detected.
Something can be noticeable without being particularly important.
For example, a bright yellow shirt may be very noticeable, but that doesn’t necessarily make it notable.
Notable vs. Noteworthy
Notable and noteworthy are also closely related.
Both can mean worthy of attention or consideration.
For example:
She made a notable contribution to the project.
She made a noteworthy contribution to the project.
Both sentences suggest that her contribution deserves attention.
However, noteworthy often emphasizes that something is especially worth mentioning or remembering.
Notable vs. Famous
These words aren’t exactly the same either.
Someone can be notable without being famous.
For example:
The scientist is a notable researcher in her field.
This means she is distinguished or important within that particular area. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the general public knows her.
Famous, on the other hand, specifically suggests widespread public recognition.
How to Pronounce Notable
Notable is commonly pronounced:
NOH-tuh-buhl
In phonetic notation, it is generally represented as:
/ˈnoʊ.tə.bəl/
The word has three syllables:
NO – ta – ble
The spelling noteable may encourage people to imagine a different pronunciation, but that spelling isn’t the standard form.
Examples of Notable in Sentences
Here are some natural examples:
- The researcher made a notable discovery.
- There was a notable improvement in the patient’s results.
- She has made several notable contributions to education.
- The city is known for its notable architecture.
- The report highlights several notable differences.
- He had a notable career in journalism.
- The company saw a notable increase in demand.
- Several notable authors attended the festival.
- The study produced some notable findings.
- Her performance was particularly notable.
Notice that notable can describe people, achievements, changes, discoveries, differences, events, and many other things.
Common Phrases With Notable
You’ll often see notable used in certain combinations.
Notable Achievement
Winning the award was a notable achievement.
This means the achievement was significant or impressive.
Notable Difference
There was a notable difference between the two products.
This means the difference was significant or clearly worth mentioning.
Notable Example
This is a notable example of effective leadership.
It means the example is particularly worth considering.
Notable Contribution
She made a notable contribution to the research.
This suggests her contribution was important or significant.
Notable Figure
He became a notable figure in the industry.
This means he became prominent or distinguished.
Notable Increase
The company reported a notable increase in revenue.
This means the increase was significant enough to attract attention.
Common Mistake: Noteable vs. Notable
The most common error is adding an e after the t.
Incorrect:
The author made a noteable contribution.
Correct:
The author made a notable contribution.
Why does this mistake happen?
The answer is straightforward: people recognize the word note inside the meaning of notable, so they naturally want to preserve its spelling.
But the adjective is spelled:
N-O-T-A-B-L-E
not:
N-O-T-E-A-B-L-E
A Simple Way to Remember It
Think of notable as:
NOT + ABLE
It isn’t a perfect etymological breakdown, but it can be a useful spelling trick:
not + able = notable
The important thing is to remember that there is no extra e after the t.
Notable as an Adjective
Notable is an adjective, so it describes a noun.
For example:
a notable achievement
a notable person
a notable change
a notable event
a notable difference
You generally wouldn’t use notable as a noun or verb in ordinary modern English.
If you want to describe the action of making something known or recording something, other words such as note, record, or mention may be appropriate.
Notable Synonyms
Depending on the context, useful synonyms for notable include:
- Remarkable
- Significant
- Important
- Prominent
- Distinguished
- Outstanding
- Memorable
- Striking
- Noteworthy
- Considerable
However, these words aren’t interchangeable in every sentence.
For example, prominent works particularly well when discussing a person’s position or visibility, while remarkable often emphasizes something unusual or impressive.
Antonyms of Notable
The opposite of notable depends on the intended meaning.
Possible antonyms include:
- Ordinary
- Unremarkable
- Insignificant
- Inconspicuous
- Minor
- Unimportant
- Unremarkable
For example:
It was an unremarkable performance.
This contrasts with:
It was a notable performance.
Notable in Academic and Professional Writing
Notable is particularly common in formal, academic, and professional writing.
For example:
The study revealed a notable difference between the two groups.
Or:
One notable limitation of the research was the small sample size.
The word is useful because it allows writers to point out something important without sounding overly dramatic.
However, it shouldn’t be used simply to make ordinary information sound more impressive. The context should support the idea that something genuinely deserves attention.
Notable in Everyday English
Although notable can sound formal, it also appears in ordinary writing and conversation.
For example:
There was a notable improvement in her performance.
His absence was notable.
The restaurant has a few notable dishes.
In casual conversation, however, people might choose simpler alternatives such as important, obvious, significant, or remarkable, depending on the context.
Noteable or Notable: Quick Comparison
| Word | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable | Yes | Worthy of attention; significant or remarkable | She made a notable contribution. |
| Noteable | No, in standard English | — | This spelling is generally a misspelling. |
The key point is simple:
Notable is the standard spelling.
How to Avoid the Noteable Spelling Mistake
If you regularly confuse these spellings, try these three steps:
- Remember the correct form: notable.
- Remove the extra e: don’t write “noteable.”
- Connect the word with its meaning: something notable is something worth noticing.
You can also remember the phrase:
A notable achievement is worth noticing.
The word notable contains no extra e between the t and a.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it notable or noteable?
The correct standard spelling is notable. Noteable is generally considered a misspelling.
Why is notable spelled without an e?
Although notable is related historically to note, its established English spelling is notable, without the extra e found in the noun note.
What does notable mean?
Notable means worthy of attention because something is important, significant, remarkable, prominent, or distinguished.
Is notable an adjective?
Yes. Notable is an adjective used to describe something or someone that deserves attention.
For example:
She made a notable contribution.
What is an example of notable?
The researcher made a notable discovery.
Here, notable means the discovery was significant or worthy of attention.
Is noteable ever correct?
In standard modern English, notable is the established spelling for the adjective meaning significant or worthy of attention. Noteable is generally treated as a spelling error.
What is the difference between notable and noticeable?
Notable generally means worthy of attention or significant, while noticeable means easy to see, hear, recognize, or detect.
Something can be noticeable without being especially notable.
What is the difference between notable and noteworthy?
Both words can mean worthy of attention. Noteworthy often emphasizes that something deserves particular mention or remembrance, while notable can also mean significant, prominent, or distinguished.
What are synonyms for notable?
Depending on the context, synonyms include remarkable, significant, important, prominent, distinguished, noteworthy, outstanding, and memorable.
What is the opposite of notable?
Possible opposites include unremarkable, insignificant, ordinary, minor, and inconspicuous, depending on the context.
Conclusion: Noteable or Notable?
When you’re deciding between Noteable or Notable, the answer is straightforward: notable is the correct standard spelling.
Notable is an adjective meaning worthy of attention, significant, remarkable, important, or distinguished. The common misspelling noteable is understandable because the word is related to note, but the extra e doesn’t belong in the standard spelling.
So remember:
Notable = correct
Noteable = incorrect
If you want an easy memory trick, think of notable as something worth noticing—and remember that notable has no extra e after the t.
The next time you write about a significant achievement, an important discovery, or a remarkable event, you’ll know exactly which spelling to choose: notable.
