diary
Americannoun
plural
diaries-
a daily record, usually private, especially of the writer's own experiences, observations, feelings, attitudes, etc.
-
a book for keeping such a record.
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a book or pad containing pages marked and arranged in calendar order, in which to note appointments and the like.
noun
-
a personal record of daily events, appointments, observations, etc
-
a book for keeping such a record
Etymology
Origin of diary
1575–85; < Latin diārium daily allowance, journal, equivalent to di ( ēs ) day + -ārium -ary
Explanation
Dear diary, you are a written record of things that happen each day. Some people keep a diary while they’re traveling, others keep their secrets in a diary. Either way, keep out! Some diaries have a pretty cover and a tiny lock with a key, for keeping the contents safe from prying eyes. You can also call such a book a "journal," although traditionally a diary is written in each day, while a journal might have less frequent entries. The word diary comes from the Latin word diarium, "daily allowance," with its root of dies, or "day."
Vocabulary lists containing diary
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Lesson 2–3
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Excerpt from "Kira-Kira"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mr. Chatrie chose to save a location diary in his account, and police saw two hours.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026
Google filed an amicus brief at the Supreme Court describing users’ location data as a kind of “digital diary of a person’s travels” that should have strong privacy protections under the Fourth Amendment.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026
Not only does he have a state visit from King Charles in the diary for later this month, followed by a summit with China's President Xi Jinping in May, there are midterm elections in November.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
The daily diary is distinct from a formal autobiography.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
That was the last entry in Alfred Joubaire’s diary.
From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
