diary

noun

di·​a·​ry ˈdī-(ə-)rē How to pronounce diary (audio)
plural diaries
Synonyms of diarynext
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

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Examples of diary in a Sentence

has diligently kept a diary since she was 15
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tracee Ellis Ross favors Udi’s gluten-free bread topped with smashed avocado, lemon juice, crushed red pepper and salt as an afternoon snack, according to a People food diary. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 There are no recordings from the time, of course, so we're left to try and glean information from contemporary journals, letters and diaries, said Esteban Touma, a linguistics expert with Babbel, the online language learning platform. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2026 Love was an early adopter, and Auf der Maur captures her talking on a cellphone the size of a walkie-talkie, and also keeping a tour diary on a Macintosh Powerbook. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026 The filmmakers supplement that with scenes where an actor reads from Brockington’s diaries and poetry, giving the audience a full portrait of this protagonist. — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diary

Word History

Etymology

Latin diarium, from dies day — more at deity

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diary was in 1581

Phrases Containing diary

Rhymes for diary

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Browse Nearby Words

diarthrosis
diary
diaryl
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Cite this Entry

“Diary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diary. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

diary

noun
di·​a·​ry ˈdī-(ə-)rē How to pronounce diary (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on diary

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diary

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