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

The big fear was that the Nazis are going to get hold of these diaries. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 18 May 2026

Hundreds of pages worth of private emails, text messages and internal meeting notes were submitted as evidence, including Brockman’s personal diaries, and texts between Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg discussing possibly trying to buy OpenAI together. —Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 18 May 2026

Prosecutors have quoted extensively from Mangione’s handwritten diary in court filings including his praise for Unabomber Ted Kaczynski. —Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026

After her death, Riley read her diaries, an awkward experience at times. —Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026

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