diary

noun

di·​a·​ry ˈdī-(ə-)rē 

plural diaries

1

: a record of events, transactions, or observations kept daily or at frequent intervals : journal

especially : a daily record of personal activities, reflections, or feelings

2

: a book intended or used for a diary

Synonyms of diary

• journal

Examples of diary in a Sentence

has diligently kept a diary since she was 15

Recent Examples on the Web

Tad’s centennial diary publishes this week in our annual Cartoons & Puzzles Issue, which is brought to life under the stewardship of our cartoon editor, Emma Allen, and puzzles-and-games editor, Liz Maynes-Aminzade. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2025

The removal of the citations was not documented in the case file, and a line item in Nevada OSHA’s case diary that described the meeting was later deleted from a public record, Fortune found. —Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 16 Dec. 2025

Drawing on his own diaries and Said’s unpublished letters and manuscripts, Hovsepian sketches both the portrait of a friendship and an intellectual biography. —Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

My paintings are sometimes like a diary or journal for me. —Adam Moss, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin diarium, from dies day — more at deity

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diary

• keep a diary

Rhymes for diary

• fiery
• friary
• priory

Kids Definition

diary

noun

di·​a·​ry ˈdī-(ə-)rē 

plural diaries

: a daily record especially of personal experiences and thoughts

also : a book for keeping such a record

Etymology

from Latin diarium "a record of business dealings or activities during the day," from dies "day" — related to meridian, sunday see Word History at sunday