What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
notebook
Example
I always carry a notebook with me to write down important information. [notebook: noun]
Example
She was scribbling in her notebook during the lecture. [notebook: noun]
journal
Example
I like to write in my journal every night before bed. [journal: noun]
Example
She has been keeping a journal since she was a teenager. [journal: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Notebook is more commonly used than journal in everyday language. Notebook is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while journal is less common and refers to a more personal and introspective type of writing.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between notebook and journal?
Both notebook and journal are relatively informal words, but journal may be associated with a more literary or artistic connotation due to its use in creative writing or personal reflection.