noun
diary
DEYE-uh-ree
noun
1
A book in which someone records their daily thoughts, feelings, or experiences.
"She has kept a diary since she was twelve years old."
"His teenage diary was full of embarrassing confessions."
2
(British) A book or app for recording appointments and plans; a personal organizer.
"Let me check my diary before we set a meeting time."
How to Use Diary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA personal record of daily events, or (in British English) a schedule book of appointments.
UK vs US
In British English, "diary" often means a scheduling calendar ("check my diary"); American English uses "calendar" or "schedule" for that meaning and reserves "diary" for a personal journal.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
keep a diary
write in a diary
check my diary
Word Forms
diaried past tense, diaries plural, diaries singular
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She has kept a _____ since she was twelve years old.
Etymology
From Latin diarium ("daily allowance," later "diary"), from dies ("day").