calendar
HighNeutral (Used across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
A chart or series of pages showing the days, weeks, and months of a particular year.
A system for organizing and measuring time over a year; a schedule of planned events or appointments.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers both to the physical object (wall calendar) and the abstract system (Gregorian calendar). Can also mean a list of items scheduled for consideration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily spelling differences in related verbs/adjectives (calendar vs. calender). Also, 'diary' is more common in UK for a personal appointment book.
Connotations
Similar connotations; 'calendar' implies a structured, often public or shared, time-keeping system.
Frequency
Equal high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N (of N)N for NN + verb (to schedule)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “circle a date on the calendar”
- “the calendar is packed”
- “a red-letter day (on the calendar)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the fiscal year, project timelines, and meeting schedules.
Academic
The academic calendar dictates term dates, exams, and holidays.
Everyday
A physical object for tracking dates and family events.
Technical
A system for time-reckoning like the Julian or Hebrew calendar.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The case was calendared for a hearing next month.
- Please calendar the board meeting for the 15th.
American English
- The motion was calendared for the next session.
- We need to calendar these deadlines carefully.
adjective
British English
- The calendar month for payment is April.
- We use the calendar year for reporting.
American English
- Your calendar year deductible has been met.
- Check the calendar date on the document.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I look at the calendar to see what day it is.
- My birthday is on the calendar.
- Let's check the calendar to find a free date for the party.
- The school calendar shows when the holidays are.
- The court's calendar is fully booked until next quarter.
- We need to synchronise our project timeline with the financial calendar.
- The legislation was finally calendared after months of delay.
- Their fiscal calendar diverges from the conventional Gregorian system.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CAL' for calculate + 'ENDAR' sounds like 'end of year' – you calculate time until the year's end with a calendar.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE ALLOCATED IN SLOTS (Calendar slots).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'календарь' (correct). Avoid false friend 'календар' (non-existent). Verb 'to calendar' exists, but 'календарить' does not.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'calander', 'calender' (the latter is a machine for smoothing paper).
- Incorrect preposition: 'on my calendar' (not 'in my calendar' for events).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'to calendar' as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Calendar' refers to the time-keeping system. 'Calender' (spelled with 'e') is a machine for smoothing paper or cloth.
Yes, particularly in legal and formal contexts meaning 'to schedule or enter into a calendar'.
It is the period from January 1 to December 31, as opposed to a fiscal or academic year.
Partly. A 'diary' often implies a personal, portable book for appointments, while a 'calendar' is more general and can be wall-mounted or shared.