journal
JUR-nuhl
Journal (noun) means a personal diary where someone regularly records thoughts or events. Example: “Every evening he writes about his day in a small leather journal.”
noun
1
A personal diary where someone regularly records thoughts or events.
"Every evening he writes about his day in a small leather journal."
"She has kept a journal every night since she was a teenager."
"He wrote about the trip in his travel journal."
2
A periodical publication, especially one focused on a specialized or academic subject.
"The professor submitted her paper to a respected science journal."
"The findings were published in a medical journal."
"She subscribes to a journal on climate science."
3
A running record of financial transactions or of changes made to a system.
"Each payment is recorded in the journal before it reaches the ledger."
"The system keeps a journal of every change made to the file."
"The accountant entered the sale in the journal."
verb
1
To write regularly in a diary as a form of reflection.
"I try to journal for ten minutes before bed to clear my head."
"He began to journal during the trip so he would remember it."
"Her therapist suggested she journal every morning."
How to use journal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA personal diary, or a regularly published specialist magazine/paper, or a financial record book.
Common pairings
keep a journal
academic journal
journal entry
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Word forms
- Plural
- journals, journaux
- Third person singular
- journals
- Past tense
- journaled, journalled
Fill the gap
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Every evening he writes about his day in a small leather _____.
Etymology
From Old French jornel ("daily"), ultimately from Latin diurnus ("of the day") — the same root as "diurnal".
Related words
Rhymes for journal
See all rhymes for journal →Frequently asked questions
What does “journal” mean?
The word “journal” means a personal diary where someone regularly records thoughts or events. In plain terms, a personal diary, or a regularly published specialist magazine/paper, or a financial record book.
How do you pronounce “journal”?
“Journal” is pronounced JUR-nuhl (/ˈd͡ʒɝnəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “journal” in a sentence?
Here is “journal” used in a sentence: “She has kept a journal every night since she was a teenager.”
What part of speech is “journal”?
Depending on how it is used, “journal” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “journal” come from?
The word “journal” comes from Latin. From Old French jornel ("daily"), ultimately from Latin diurnus ("of the day") — the same root as "diurnal".
Is “journal” a common word?
“Journal” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “journal” have?
“Journal” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a personal diary where someone regularly records thoughts or events.
What is the difference between a journal and a diary?
The words overlap, but there is a subtle distinction. A diary is usually a dated, day-by-day record of what happened. A journal is broader and more reflective, a place for thoughts, ideas, plans, or observations that need not be written daily or tied to specific dates. Every diary is a kind of journal.
What are the different types of journals?
Common kinds include the reflective or personal journal, the gratitude journal, the travel journal, the dream journal, and the bullet journal used for lists and planning. Some people keep specialised journals for reading, fitness, or work projects. The format is flexible and shaped entirely by the writer's purpose.
Why is keeping a journal good for you?
Regular journaling helps you process emotions, clarify your thinking, and remember experiences you might otherwise forget. Writing things down can ease stress, reveal patterns in your mood or habits, and support goal-setting. Because it is private and unstructured, a journal offers a judgement-free space to reflect honestly.
What should you write in a journal?
Anything that matters to you: daily events, feelings, ideas, worries, goals, or things you are grateful for. There are no rules on length or style, and some entries are a single line while others run for pages. The value comes from writing regularly and honestly rather than from writing perfectly.
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