NB in Email: What This Abbreviation Means and How to Use It Correctly

You open a work email, and right before an important detail, you spot two capital letters: “NB.” No explanation follows, just the abbreviation sitting there like it’s supposed to signal something on its own. If you’ve paused mid-read wondering whether you missed a memo about a new office shorthand, you’re in good company.

NB in email is actually one of the oldest abbreviations still in regular use today, far older than texting slang or social media shorthand. It comes from Latin, and despite its ancient roots, it remains a common sight in professional correspondence, academic writing, and formal documents. Most people who use it are simply trying to flag something important that the reader shouldn’t skim past.

This guide covers everything about NB in email: what it stands for, where it came from, how it compares to similar abbreviations like P.S. and FYI, when it’s appropriate to use, and how to write it correctly in your own professional communication. We’ll also look at how NB shows up outside of email, since the same two letters carry different meanings depending on where you encounter them. By the end, you’ll never wonder what NB means in a message again.

What Does NB Mean in Email? (Quick Answer)

NB in email stands for “Nota Bene,” a Latin phrase meaning “note well” or “pay special attention.” It’s used to draw the reader’s attention to an important detail, caveat, or reminder that might otherwise get overlooked. Writers typically place NB directly before the key piece of information they want to emphasize.

Understanding Nota Bene: The Phrase Behind the Abbreviation

The two Latin words behind NB translate literally as follows:

• Nota – Note
• Bene – Well

Put together, “nota bene” instructs the reader to note something carefully, essentially flagging a detail as too important to miss. Unlike modern internet acronyms built from casual phrases, NB comes from formal written Latin, giving it a more scholarly, professional tone than most texting abbreviations.

Where NB Actually Came From

Understanding NB’s long history helps explain why it still feels at home in professional email today.

1. Ancient Latin roots. The phrase “nota bene” originates from classical Latin, used broadly to mark important notes in written texts.
2. Adoption into English editorial writing. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the editorial use of “nota bene” and its abbreviation first appeared in English writing around 1711, used to flag key details in manuscripts and formal documents.
3. Standard use in academic and legal writing. For centuries, NB became a common tool in scholarly texts, legal documents, and formal correspondence, helping writers highlight critical clauses or caveats.
4. Carryover into modern business and email communication. As professional correspondence shifted from handwritten letters to typed memos and eventually email, NB carried over as a quick, recognizable way to emphasize important information.

Few abbreviations in modern use can trace their history back this far. While most texting slang emerged within the last two decades, NB has been flagging important information in written English for more than 300 years.

How NB Is Used in Professional Emails

NB typically appears at the beginning of a sentence, directly before the detail the writer wants to emphasize.

“This email confirms our meeting tomorrow at 2 PM in Conference Room A. NB: Please bring a printed copy of the agenda.”

“The deadline for Project X submissions is next Friday. NB: Late submissions will not be accepted.”

In both examples, NB signals that what follows deserves extra attention, separate from the general flow of the email’s main content.

Common Formatting Styles

Writers format NB a few different ways depending on personal or company style:

• NB: followed by the important detail
• N.B., with periods and a comma
• NB in italics to visually separate it from the rest of the text
• NB — followed by an em dash before the key point

None of these formats is strictly “correct” over the others. Consistency within a single document or email thread matters more than which specific style you choose.

NB vs. Similar Email Abbreviations

It helps to see NB next to other common abbreviations people sometimes confuse it with.

Term	Meaning	Key Difference
NB	Nota Bene (note well)	Flags something important within the main message
P.S.	Postscript	Adds information after the message has already ended
FYI	For Your Information	Shares information, doesn’t necessarily flag urgency
RE	Regarding	References the subject of the message, not emphasis
CC	Carbon Copy	Indicates additional recipients, unrelated to emphasis

The clearest distinction is between NB and P.S. NB draws attention to something important within the body of the message itself, while P.S. adds new information after the writer has already finished their main point, almost like an afterthought.

When to Avoid NB

Despite its long history, NB isn’t always the right choice, especially in modern workplace communication.

• When writing to a broad or informal audience. Not everyone recognizes Latin abbreviations, and NB can come across as overly formal or even confusing to some readers.
• In casual internal messaging. Tools like Slack or Teams typically favor simpler phrases like “quick note” or “heads up.”
• When clarity matters more than tradition. In many cases, simply writing “Please note:” communicates the same idea more clearly to a wider audience.

Expert Note: NB tends to appear more frequently in communication from senior staff, academics, or formal business correspondence than in everyday messages between colleagues at the same level. It’s a stylistic choice as much as a functional one.

NB in Different Contexts Beyond Email

NB use in Academic Writing

Use of NB remains extremely common in academic papers, footnotes, and scholarly correspondence, where formal Latin abbreviations are still widely accepted and understood.

Use of NB in Legal Documents

Legal writing frequently uses NB to flag important clauses, exceptions, or conditions within contracts and formal agreements.

NB in Text Messages and Social Media

Outside of professional writing, NB occasionally appears in texting or social media, though the meaning shifts depending on the platform and audience:

• Some younger users use NB to mean “non-binary,” referring to gender identity
• In casual texting, NB sometimes loosely means “not bad”
• As a location abbreviation, NB can refer to New Brunswick, a Canadian province

Important distinction: In professional email specifically, NB overwhelmingly means “Nota Bene.” The alternate meanings almost exclusively appear in casual texting or social contexts, not formal correspondence.

Table: NB in Email at a Glance

Category	Details
Full Meaning	Nota Bene (Latin for “note well”)
Origin	Classical Latin, adopted into English editorial use around 1711
Primary Context	Professional emails, academic writing, legal documents
Tone	Formal, direct, attention-drawing
Popularity	Common in formal writing, less common in casual messaging
Related Terms	P.S., FYI, “Please note,” Cf.
Best Used In	Business emails, academic papers, formal correspondence
Avoid In	Casual chats, broad public-facing communication

Realistic Email Examples

Example 1 — Meeting reminder

“Thanks everyone for confirming attendance. NB: The meeting has moved to Room 204 due to a scheduling conflict.”

Example 2 — Project deadline

“Please submit your reports by Thursday at noon. NB: Late submissions will affect the project timeline.”

Example 3 — Policy clarification

“All expense reports must include original receipts. NB: Scanned copies are accepted only for purchases under $25.”

Example 4 — Academic correspondence

“Your draft looks strong overall. NB: Please double-check the citation formatting in section three before resubmitting.”

Each example shows NB doing the same job: signaling that the reader should pause and pay closer attention to what follows.

Common Mistakes People Make With NB

• Using it without explanation for unfamiliar audiences. Not every reader recognizes Latin abbreviations, so context matters.
• Overusing it throughout a single email. If everything is flagged as important, nothing stands out as truly important.
• Confusing it with P.S. NB emphasizes something within the main message, while P.S. adds something after the message concludes.
• Mistaking it for casual slang meanings. In professional email, NB should be understood as “Nota Bene,” not any of its casual alternate meanings.

Positive and Negative Connotations

NB carries a neutral, formal tone, without any inherent negativity.

• Professional use: Clearly signals importance without sounding urgent or alarming.
• Academic use: Widely accepted and expected in scholarly writing.
• Potential downside: In very casual or informal settings, NB can come across as stiff or old-fashioned compared to simpler modern phrasing.

There’s no negative connotation behind NB itself. Any friction comes from mismatched formality between the abbreviation and its audience.

Cultural Relevance and Modern Trends

NB stands out among modern email abbreviations because of its remarkable longevity. While most workplace shorthand has emerged within the digital era, NB has been flagging important information in written English since the early 18th century, according to documented usage in the Oxford English Dictionary.

This staying power reflects a broader pattern in professional writing: certain formal conventions persist even as communication styles evolve elsewhere. Younger professionals may lean toward simpler alternatives like “heads up” or “quick note,” but NB remains firmly embedded in academic, legal, and traditional business correspondence.

Frequently Asked Questions About NB in Email

What does NB stand for in a professional email? NB stands for “Nota Bene,” a Latin phrase meaning “note well,” used to draw attention to an important detail within the message.

Is NB the same as P.S. in an email? No. NB highlights something important within the main body of the email, while P.S. adds additional information after the message has already concluded.

Is it appropriate to use NB in a business email? Yes, particularly in formal or traditional business correspondence. However, simpler phrases like “please note” may communicate the same idea more clearly to broader audiences.

How do you punctuate NB correctly? Common styles include “NB:” followed by the detail, or “N.B.,” with periods. Either format is acceptable as long as it’s used consistently.

Does NB mean something different in text messages? Sometimes. In casual texting, NB can occasionally mean “non-binary” or “not bad,” though these meanings rarely appear in professional email.

Where did the abbreviation NB originate? It comes from the Latin phrase “nota bene,” with documented editorial use in English dating back to around 1711.

Is NB considered old-fashioned? It can read as more formal or traditional compared to modern alternatives, which is why it’s more common in academic, legal, and senior-level business writing than in casual workplace chats.

Final Takeaway

NB in email comes down to a simple, centuries-old purpose: making sure an important detail doesn’t get lost in the rest of the message. Rooted in the Latin phrase “Nota Bene,” meaning “note well,” this abbreviation has remained a fixture in formal writing for over 300 years, long before modern texting shorthand existed.

The next time NB shows up in a professional email, you’ll know exactly what it signals, an important detail worth your full attention, and you’ll be equipped to use it correctly and confidently in your own writing when the moment calls for it.