# diary

/ˈdaɪɝi/ (US) · /dˈaɪəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/diary
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. personal record

noun · CEFR A2

a book where you write down your private thoughts and what happens to you each day.

For teachers: a daily record of personal experiences, observations, and reflections, typically intended for private use.

- She wrote in her diary every night before going to sleep.
- The historian discovered a hidden diary that provided a vivid, first-hand account of life during the occupation.

### 2. appointment book

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a book or app used to record future appointments and meetings.

For teachers: a calendar or personal organiser used to schedule future engagements and deadlines.

- Let me check my diary to see if I am free for lunch next Tuesday.
- The executive's diary was so tightly packed with back-to-back meetings that she barely had time for a coffee break.

Usage: Commonly used in British English where American English speakers would prefer 'calendar' or 'planner'.

### 3. to record an event

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to write something down in a diary or to schedule a meeting.

For teachers: to enter an appointment or event into a diary; to maintain a regular journal of activities.

- We need to diary a follow-up meeting for next month.
- The legal team was instructed to diary every interaction with the client to ensure a complete paper trail for the audit.

Usage: Often used as a transitive verb in professional or legal contexts.

## Examples

- I write in my diary every night before bed.
- She checked her diary to see if she was free for lunch next Tuesday.
- Historians often rely on a subject's private diary to understand the emotional reality of an era, as these personal accounts frequently contradict the polished narratives found in official documents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.