verb

annotate

AN-uh-tayt

Annotate (verb) means to add notes to a text, diagram or image that explain, comment on or draw attention to parts of it. Example: “Annotate the poem as you read, marking any image that repeats.”

verb

To add notes to a text, diagram or image that explain, comment on or draw attention to parts of it.

"Annotate the poem as you read, marking any image that repeats."

"She annotated the draft with questions in the margin."

technical To label data or media with tags that describe what it contains, especially so that software can be trained or searched.

"A team of contractors annotated thousands of images for the model."

"Every clip has to be annotated with speaker and topic."

How to Use Annotate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo write notes on something to explain it.

When to use it

Neutral; standard in education, publishing and software.

Memory tip

Do not confuse it with 'notate', which means to write something down in a formal notation such as music.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

notate denote → highlight →

Common pairings

annotate a text heavily annotated annotate the margins annotate images

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Test yourself on “annotate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ the poem as you read, marking any image that repeats.

Etymology

From Latin annotare, from ad- 'to' and nota 'mark, note'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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mark up gloss comment on note label tag classify

Related Words

name group line term attention note message title

Rhymes for annotate

ate date rate mate fate abate slate plate state grate create update

See all rhymes for annotate →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between annotating and highlighting?

Highlighting only marks which words matter, whereas annotating adds your own words: a question, a summary, a link to another passage. Highlighting shows where you looked; annotation shows what you thought.

How do you annotate a text properly?

Read with a purpose, then mark the passages that answer it and write a short note explaining why each one matters. Use consistent symbols for recurring things such as questions, key claims and unfamiliar terms, and keep notes short enough to be readable later.

What is the difference between annotate and footnote?

To annotate is the act of adding notes; a footnote is one particular format for presenting a note, printed at the bottom of the page. You can annotate a text in the margins, between lines or in a separate document without any footnotes at all.

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name group line term attention note message title