diary

/ˈdaɪəri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdaɪəri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdī-(ə-)rē/ (ame, mw)

diary — noun

  • diarysingular
  • diariesplural

1. a book or digital file where you regularly write about your private thoughts, fe

1.名詞B1
釋義

a book or digital file where you regularly write about your private thoughts, feelings, and the things that happen in your life

例句

Rachid writes in his diary every night before going to sleep.

collocation: write in + possessive + diary

Linh kept a diary throughout her trip to Japan.

collocation: keep a diary

同義詞
  • journal

    slightly more formal; often used for a reflective or professional record rather than everyday private thoughts

  • log

    more factual; records events in sequence without personal reflection

文法句型

keep + a + diary

write in + (possessive) + diary

diary + entry

用法筆記

Diary in this sense focuses on recording past experiences and private emotions. It is common among teenagers and adults who use writing as a way to reflect on their daily lives.

常見錯誤

❌I wrote down my meeting times in my diary.' (when meaning a planner)
✅I marked my meeting times in my appointment diary.
💡Use 'diary' for personal/emotional entries; use 'appointment diary' or 'planner' for scheduling future events.

2. a book or calendar that gives each day its own place, where you note down upcomi

2.名詞B1
釋義

a book or calendar that gives each day its own place, where you note down upcoming appointments, meetings, and tasks that you must remember

例句

The doctor checked her diary to find a free time for the patient.

collocation: check + possessive + diary

Renata marked the meeting date in her diary so she would not forget.

collocation: mark + in + possessive + diary

同義詞
  • planner

    more common in American English; often implies a structured book with calendars and to-do lists

  • appointment book

    neutral term focused on scheduled meetings; used especially in professional settings

  • calendar

    can be digital or wall-based; broader than diary

文法句型

check + (possessive) + diary

mark + in + (possessive) + diary

diary + noun (diary date)

用法筆記

In British English, 'diary' is very commonly used for this sense — a book for scheduling future plans. In American English, 'planner' or 'appointment book' is more typical, though 'diary' is understood. Distinguish from sense 1 by topic: future events vs. past personal reflections.

常見錯誤

❌I read her diary to see what appointments she had.' (sounds like reading private thoughts)
✅I checked her diary to see what appointments she had.
💡Use 'check' instead of 'read' when looking at scheduled future events.