Notification vs. Notice — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 30, 2023
Notification is a formal announcement or alert, usually digital, while Notice is a written or verbal warning or information.
Difference Between Notification and Notice
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Notification and Notice are both related to informing someone about something, but they vary in how they are used and presented. A notification is typically a formal alert, commonly seen in the digital world. For instance, when an app updates or you receive a new email, you get a notification on your device.
On the other hand, a notice is generally more traditional, often seen as a written statement or announcement displayed for the public or given directly to a particular person. For instance, a notice might be posted on a bulletin board about an upcoming event.
Notifications have become integral in the age of smartphones and computers. They provide real-time alerts and ensure that people are promptly informed about updates, messages, or news. From social media updates to bank transaction alerts, notifications play a significant role in our daily lives.
In contrast, notices, while still widely used, are more stationary and passive. Notices require individuals to come across them, be it a posted eviction notice on a door or an announcement in a newspaper. In legal settings, notice often refers to formal written communication about a specific matter.
Both Notification and Notice aim to inform, but while notifications actively alert the recipient, notices often require the recipient's proactive engagement to be seen or acted upon.
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Comparison Chart
Medium
Typically digital
Often physical (paper) or verbal
Activeness
Actively alerts the recipient
Requires recipient's engagement to be noticed
Common Usage
Emails, app updates, smartphone alerts
Public announcements, written warnings, legal communications
Duration
Often transient (disappears after being seen)
Typically remains until removed or addressed
Formality
Can be both formal and informal
Often more formal
Compare with Definitions
Notification
Notification can denote a specific system alert on devices.
I turned off my email notifications to avoid distractions.
Notice
Notice refers to a formal declaration or communication.
The company issued a notice about the annual meeting.
Notification
Notification refers to the act of notifying or being notified.
The notification of the event was sent a week prior.
Notice
Notice is the legal concept describing a requirement that a party be aware of legal process affecting their rights, obligations or duties. There are several types of notice: public notice (or legal notice), actual notice, constructive notice, and implied notice.
Notification
Notification can also imply an official communication.
The government issued a notification regarding the new regulations.
Notice
The fact of observing or paying attention to something
It has come to our notice that you have been missing school
Their silence did not escape my notice
Notification
The action of notifying someone or something
We have yet to receive formal notification of the announcement
Notice
Notification or warning of something, especially to allow preparations to be made
Interest rates are subject to fluctuation without notice
Notification
The act or an instance of notifying.
Notice
A displayed sheet or placard giving news or information
The jobs were advertised in a notice posted in the common room
Notification
Something, such as a letter, by which notice is given.
Notice
Become aware of
I noticed that she was looking tired
They were too drunk to notice
He noticed the youths behaving suspiciously
Notification
(uncountable) The act of notifying.
Notice
The act of noting or observing; perception or attention
That detail escaped my notice.
Notification
(countable) A specific piece of information that serves to notify.
My computer popped up a notification about Daylight Saving Time.
Notice
Respectful attention or consideration
Grateful for the teacher's notice.
Notification
(countable) A text message on a cell phone.
Notice
A written or printed announcement
A notice of sale.
Notification
The act of notifying, or giving notice; the act of making known; especially, the act of giving official notice or information to the public or to individuals, corporations, companies, or societies, by words, by writing, or by other means.
Notice
A formal announcement, notification, or warning, especially an announcement of one's intention to withdraw from an agreement or leave a job
Gave my employer two weeks' notice.
Raised the price without notice.
Notification
Notice given in words or writing, or by signs.
Notice
The condition of being formally warned or notified
Put us on notice for chronic lateness.
Notification
The writing which communicates information; an advertisement, or citation, etc.
Notice
A printed critical review, as of a play or book.
Notification
An accusation of crime made by a grand jury on its own initiative
Notice
To take notice of; observe
Noticed a figure in the doorway. ].
Notification
Informing by words
Notice
The act of observing; perception.
He took no notice of the changes, and went on as though nothing had happened.
Notification
A request for payment;
The notification stated the grace period and the penalties for defaulting
Notice
(countable) A written or printed announcement.
Shall we post a notice about the new policy?
I always read the death notices in the paper.
Notification
Notification means a digital alert or reminder.
I received a notification about the software update.
Notice
(countable) A formal notification or warning.
The sidewalk adjacent to the damaged bridge stonework shall be closed until further notice.
Notification
Notification is a formal announcement or message.
The bank sent a notification about the transaction details.
Notice
Advance notification of termination of employment, given by an employer to an employee or vice versa.
I gave her her mandatory two weeks' notice and sacked her.
I can't work here any longer. I'm giving notice.
Notice
(countable) A published critical review of a play or the like.
Notice
(uncountable) Prior notification.
I don't mind if you want to change the venue; just give me some notice first, OK?
Notice
(dated) Attention; respectful treatment; civility.
Notice
To remark upon; to mention.
Notice
(transitive) To become aware of; to observe.
Did you notice the flowers in her yard?
Notice
To lavish attention upon; to treat (someone) favourably.
Notice
(intransitive) To be noticeable; to show.
Notice
The act of noting, remarking, or observing; observation by the senses or intellect; cognizance; note.
How ready is envy to mingle with the notices we take of other persons!
Notice
Intelligence, by whatever means communicated; knowledge given or received; means of knowledge; express notification; announcement; warning.
I . . . have given him notice that the Duke of Cornwall and Regan his duchess will be here.
Notice
An announcement, often accompanied by comments or remarks; as, book notices; theatrical notices.
Notice
A writing communicating information or warning.
Notice
Attention; respectful treatment; civility.
Notice
To observe; to see; to mark; to take note of; to heed; to pay attention to.
Notice
To show that one has observed; to take public note of; remark upon; to make comments on; to refer to; as, to notice a book.
This plant deserves to be noticed in this place.
Another circumstance was noticed in connection with the suggestion last discussed.
Notice
To treat with attention and civility; as, to notice strangers.
Notice
An announcement containing information about a future event;
You didn't give me enough notice
Notice
The act of noticing or paying attention;
He escaped the notice of the police
Notice
A request for payment;
The notification stated the grace period and the penalties for defaulting
Notice
Advance notification (usually written) of the intention to withdraw from an arrangement or contract;
We received a notice to vacate the premises
He gave notice two months before he moved
Notice
A sign posted in a public place as an advertisement;
A poster advertised the coming attractions
Notice
Polite or favorable attention;
His hard work soon attracted the teacher's notice
Notice
A short critical review;
The play received good notices
Notice
Discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of;
She detected high levels of lead in her drinking water
We found traces of lead in the paint
Notice
Notice or perceive;
She noted that someone was following her
Mark my words
Notice
Make or write a comment on;
He commented the paper of his colleague
Notice
Express recognition of the presence or existence of, or acquaintance with;
He never acknowledges his colleagues when they run into him in the hallway
She acknowledged his complement with a smile
It is important to acknowledge the work of others in one's own writing
Notice
Notice means a written announcement or warning.
The landlord gave a eviction notice to the tenant.
Notice
Notice can signify attention or observation.
The painting came to my notice during the exhibition.
Notice
Notice can denote a short period of informing in advance.
She resigned from her job with two weeks' notice.
Notice
Notice may also imply a sign or placard with information.
The notice at the park stated No dogs allowed.
Common Curiosities
Can a notice be given verbally?
Yes, a notice can be conveyed verbally, though it's often in written form.
How long does a notice typically last?
It varies. Some notices, like eviction notices, have specific durations, while others remain until addressed.
Can you turn off notifications?
On digital devices, you usually can customize or turn off notifications.
Are Notification and Notice interchangeable?
While related, they aren't always interchangeable due to differences in context and usage.
Do notifications always require immediate attention?
Not necessarily, but they are designed to alert the recipient promptly.
Do all apps have notifications?
Most do, but it depends on the app's design and purpose.
Are notifications always digital?
Mostly, but not always. While common in digital contexts, "notification" can be used broadly for any formal announcement.
Is a notification more urgent than a notice?
Not always. The urgency depends on the content, not the form.
Is giving notice legally binding?
In some contexts, like legal or contractual, giving notice can have legal implications.
Are notices always public?
No, while many are public, some notices are private, meant for specific individuals or groups.
What might a notice board contain?
A notice board typically contains announcements, schedules, or information for a group or community.
Can a notification be considered a notice?
In some contexts, yes. A digital notification might serve as a notice of something important.
Can notifications be saved for later?
Some systems allow saving or marking notifications for later, but others might disappear once seen.
How do notifications impact user experience?
They can enhance experience by providing timely alerts but can also be distracting if overused.
Why are notices important in legal contexts?
Notices ensure parties are informed about legal actions or requirements, allowing them to respond or comply.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
