daily
day-LEE
/ˈdeɪli/
Happening, done, or produced every day.
While simple, it implies a relentless cycle that forms the basic unit of human schedule.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Old English 'daeglic', formed from 'daeg' (day) and '-lic' (like). It has remained remarkably stable for over a thousand years, reflecting the fundamental nature of the solar cycle in human life.
Word relationships
- everyday: Everyday is an adjective meaning 'commonplace', whereas daily specifically refers to the 24-hour cycle.
- diurnal: Diurnal is a technical or biological term meaning active during the day rather than at night.
- nightly: Refers to events occurring every night rather than every day.
Commonly confused with
- dayly: This is an archaic spelling; 'daily' is the only correct modern form.
Word family
- daily (adjective/adverb): Occurring every day.
- dailiness (noun): The quality of being daily or routine.
Collocations
- daily routine
- daily basis
- daily exercise
- daily life
Idioms & expressions
- the daily grind
Example sentences
- "Give us this day our daily bread." A famous religious petition for basic needs.
- "The daily commute into the city center takes nearly an hour by train." Describing a common work requirement.
Memory hook
Think of a 'Daily' newspaper that arrives at your door every single morning without fail. The sun rises daily.
When not to use
Avoid using it for things that happen 'most days' but not every day; use 'frequent' or 'regular' instead.
Fun facts
- In the 19th century, a 'daily' was also a common term for a servant who came to work every day but did not live in the house.
Explore more words
continually, around the clock, periodical, continual, diligent, relentless
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