diary
diary
Pronunciation
diary: /ˈdaɪəri/
dai-: /daɪ/ - The "d" sound as in "dog," followed by the "ai" diphthong as in "sky."
-a-: /ə/ - The schwa sound, a short, unstressed "uh" sound.
-ry: /ri/ - The "r" sound as in "red," followed by the "ee" sound as in "see."
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: diary
Plural Noun: diaries
(Note: "Diary" does not commonly function as a verb, adjective, or adverb in standard English usage. While one might contrive a usage like "to diary an event," it's not a common or recognized word form variation.)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A book with blank pages for writing daily records, observations, or personal experiences. It often includes spaces for dates, making it a chronological account of one's life or events.
Synonyms: journal, log, commonplace book, daybook, chronicle, memoir
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a type of object. One could consider the absence of such a record, e.g., "unrecorded thoughts.")
Definition 2: A regularly kept record of personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings, whether written in a physical book or kept digitally.
Synonyms: personal record, logbook, annal, register, account
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a type of record. Similar to Definition 1, the absence of such a record would be the closest concept.)
Examples of Use
Books:
"Anne Frank's moving account, The Diary of a Young Girl, continues to resonate with readers worldwide, offering a poignant glimpse into her experiences during World War II."
"In her novel, the protagonist found solace in writing a daily diary, documenting her journey of self-discovery after moving to a new city."
Newspapers:
"The recently discovered diary of a Victorian-era explorer provides new insights into the flora and fauna of uncharted territories." (The Guardian)
"Local historians are urging the public to submit old family diaries for a new exhibition documenting the town's social history." (Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"Blogger Sarah Mills shared excerpts from her travel diary, detailing her adventures through Southeast Asia and offering tips for solo travelers." (Wanderlust Journal)
"A popular online forum features a 'Development Diary' where game developers post updates and insights into the creation of their latest projects."
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The movie 'The Princess Diaries' tells the story of a shy American teenager who discovers she is the heir to the throne of a European principality."
Television Series: "In the historical drama, the secret diary of a palace maid becomes a crucial piece of evidence in a political conspiracy."
Video Games: "Players in the game 'Life is Strange' can find and read character diaries to uncover backstories and clues."
Podcasts: "The true-crime podcast 'My Favorite Murder' often discusses cases where victims' diaries provided critical information to investigators."
General Public Discourse:
"I need to buy a new diary for next year to keep track of all my appointments and tasks."
"My grandmother always kept a detailed diary of her garden, noting planting times and harvest yields."
"Students are encouraged to keep a learning diary to reflect on their progress and identify areas for improvement."
10 Quotes Using Diary
"I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train." (Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest)
"What a strange thing a diary is. It is like a secret friend, to whom you can tell anything." (Louisa May Alcott)
"I have no diary. I have no letters." (Marilyn Monroe)
"A diary is a place where you can be yourself." (Unknown)
"A diary is an intimate friend, a confidant that never betrays." (Unknown)
"The best thing about a diary is that you can put anything you want in it, and no one can tell you it's wrong." (Unknown)
"Keeping a diary is like having a private conversation with yourself." (Unknown)
"My diary is my most faithful friend, always there to listen without judgment." (Unknown)
"A writer's diary is a secret garden where seeds of stories are sown." (Unknown)
"Life is a daily diary, and every moment is a new entry." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "diary" has a very direct and fitting origin! It comes from the Latin word "diarium," which meant a "daily allowance" (like a daily amount of food or money). This Latin word, in turn, comes from "dies," which simply means "day."
So, you can see how the idea of something related to "daily" activities or records is built right into the word.
The first known use of "diary" in English was around the late 1500s (specifically, the Oxford English Dictionary dates its earliest evidence to 1581). At that time, its meaning was a "daily record of events or transactions," often referring to logs or journals kept by people in charge, like a public official or a ship's captain.
It wasn't long before the meaning broadened to include what we commonly think of today: a personal book for writing down thoughts, feelings, and daily experiences. The idea of a book with dated pages specifically for this purpose appeared around 1600.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Diary
Keep a diary: To regularly write in a diary.
Secret diary: A diary containing private thoughts and experiences.
Dear diary: A common opening phrase for a diary entry.
Travel diary: A record of experiences and observations made during a journey.
Food diary: A record of one's daily food intake.
Dream diary: A record of one's dreams.
Spill the diary: To reveal all the secrets or intimate details contained within a diary (original, similar to "spill the beans").
A page from the diary: A small revelation or glimpse into someone's private life or thoughts.
Diary of events: A chronological record of occurrences.
Journal one's thoughts: To write down one's thoughts in a journal (using synonym "journal").
Log one's activities: To record daily activities in a logbook (using synonym "log").
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of diary from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
