diary
Americannoun
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a daily record, usually private, especially of the writer's own experiences, observations, feelings, attitudes, etc.
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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
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a personal record of daily events, appointments, observations, etc
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a book for keeping such a record
Other Word Forms
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.
If you've had it in your diary since last year, or if you bagged tickets at the last minute, here's what you need to know.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Our reporters have corroborated details in their accounts using diary entries, police and other records and interviews with friends and family, who they have confided in.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
But he never made it to the top and eventually dropped down to the unglamorous Millwall club in South London, where he produced a diary that perfectly captures the life of a journeyman pro.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026
Musk’s attorneys obtained Brockman’s secret diary and introduced this journal entry as evidence.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026
Father Julien quietly slips the diary out of its hiding place and puts it with his prayer book.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
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.
