log
B1Neutral to technical. Common in everyday, technical (computing, maritime, aviation), and professional contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A part of the trunk or a large branch of a tree that has fallen or been cut down.
A detailed record of events, performance data, or system activities; to enter information into such a record; or to achieve a certain duration (e.g., of flight time).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Polysemous: primary noun form relates to wood; verb form relates to recording. Context is crucial. In computing, 'log' is both the record (noun) and the action of creating it (verb).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in derivatives (e.g., 'logbook' is standard in both, but BrE more consistently hyphenates). The verb 'log on/off' is slightly more common than 'log in/out' in BrE general use, though 'log in' dominates in IT globally.
Connotations
Similar core connotations. 'Log' as wood has strong associations with fireplaces, cabins, and forestry in both cultures.
Frequency
Both noun and verb forms are highly frequent in both varieties. Technical usage (server logs, flight logs) is equally common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
log something (in/on something)log in/on (to something)log out/offlog + time/distance (e.g., log 500 miles)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sleep like a log”
- “as easy as falling off a log”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"Please log your hours on the project management software by Friday."
Academic
"The researchers meticulously logged the subjects' responses over the six-month trial."
Everyday
"We need to chop more logs for the fire tonight."
Technical
"The application error was traced by analysing the system log from 14:00 GMT."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You must log on to the network before accessing the drive.
- The captain logged the incident in the official logbook.
American English
- Log in with your new password to continue.
- The pilot has logged over 3,000 hours in a 747.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as a primary part of speech.
American English
- Not applicable as a primary part of speech.
adjective
British English
- They spent the weekend in a rustic log cabin.
- We gathered around the warm log fire.
American English
- The house featured a beautiful log cabin-style addition.
- They built a log structure in the backyard.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children sat on a big log in the forest.
- Put another log on the fire, please.
- Write your name and time in the log book by the door.
- I can't log in to my email; is the internet working?
- The software automatically logs any unauthorised access attempts.
- After logging 50 hours of community service, she received a certificate.
- Forensic analysis of the server logs revealed a sophisticated, timed attack.
- The ship's log, meticulously maintained since 1892, provided invaluable historical climate data.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LOGbook made from a hollow LOG. You write a LOG of your journey inside the wooden LOG.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/EXPERIENCE IS A SUBSTANCE THAT CAN BE ACCUMULATED (e.g., 'log flight hours', 'log miles'). INFORMATION IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT THAT CAN BE STORED (e.g., 'log data').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'log' (wood) as 'лог' (which is only for 'log' as a record). Use 'бревно' or 'полено'.
- The verb 'to log' is not 'логить' (slang). Use 'вести запись', 'регистрировать', or 'заносить в журнал'.
- 'Log in' is not 'входить в журнал', but 'войти в систему'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'log in' (verb) with 'login' (noun/adjective).
- Using 'log' as a verb without an object where needed (e.g., 'I need to log' vs. 'I need to log the issue').
- Misspelling 'logbook' as 'log book' in formal contexts where it is a single compound.
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'sleep like a log', what quality of a log is being referenced?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Log in' is a phrasal verb (I need to log in). 'Login' is a noun (What's your login?) or adjective (the login page).
A 'log' is an unprocessed piece of a felled tree. 'Timber' often refers to processed wood used for building or the trade of wood itself.
Yes, especially in travel/transport contexts. E.g., 'The expedition logged 200 miles across the desert.' It means to achieve or record a distance.
It is a file that records events, actions, or errors generated by software, an operating system, or users. It is used for debugging and auditing.