An anecdote is a short, amusing account of something that has happened.
Pete was telling them an anecdote about their mother.
He has a talent for recollection and anecdote.
Synonyms: story, tale, sketch, short story More Synonyms of anecdote
2. variable noun
Anecdotes are individual accounts of something that are not reliable evidence.
The image of the fox as a pest is grossly exaggerated in anecdote and folklore.
anecdote in British English
(ˈænɪkˌdəʊt)
noun
a short usually amusing account of an incident, esp a personal or biographical one
Derived forms
anecdotic (ˌanecˈdotic)
adjective
anecdotalist (ˌanecˈdotalist) or anecdotist (ˈanecˌdotist)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Medieval Latin anecdota unpublished items, from Greek anekdotos unpublished, from an- + ekdotos published, from ekdidonai, from ek- out + didonai to give
anecdote in American English
(ˈænɪkˌdoʊt; ˈænɛkˌdoʊt)
noun
1. [pl.]; Obsolete
little-known, entertaining facts of history or biography
2.
a short, entertaining account of some happening, usually personal or biographical
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈstory
Word origin
Fr < ML anecdota < Gr anekdota, neut. pl. of anekdotos, unpublished < an-, not + ekdotos < ekdidonai < ek-, out + didonai, to give: see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
Examples of 'anecdote' in a sentence
anecdote
There are many funny anecdotes crammed in here.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some of the most memorable anecdotes are more personal.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
And it includes personal anecdotes and photographs from her family album which make it all the more interesting.
The Sun (2016)
We embark on a seemingly endless series of gently satirical observations and anecdotes about the zany world of activism.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And her book is full of funny anecdotes.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Think of your funniest anecdote about being at work.
The Sun (2014)
You will be saying this is irrelevant personal anecdote.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But there is one anecdote that really stuck.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
His book is a beguiling mosaic of incidents and anecdotes from their time together.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Tune in for this and more amusing anecdotes.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The wealth of evidence and anecdote means that the pages fly by.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This does not mean simply telling personal anecdotes and stories.
Christianity Today (2000)
And one anecdote alone justifies the cover price.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This mixture of practical tips and amusing anecdotes is the perfect addition to any kitchen.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It became clear to me that most of us prefer anecdote to evidence.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Say what you love about the product or give a personal anecdote about it.
The Sun (2015)
All we ask is they leave enough time for more than one red chair anecdote.
The Sun (2014)
None was funny or erudite or told amusing anecdotes.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It comes from a lot of different personal experiences and anecdotes that people have told me.
The Sun (2013)
Life is once again a series of amusing anecdotes.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The highlight is a personal anecdote about climbing a mountain in the dark to witness the sun rise.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Changing the course of one of his anecdotes is like a tug boat heaving at an oil tanker.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It's a myth that seems to have been passed by anecdote and folklore.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It will also be based soundly on evidence, not anecdote or prejudice.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Expect some funny anecdotes from Russell!
The Sun (2006)
It's just evidence by anecdote.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We laugh a lot and he has many anecdotes, funny, funny stories.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
anecdote
British English: anecdote NOUN
An anecdote is a short, amusing account of something that has happened.
He was telling them an anecdote about their mother.
American English: anecdote
Brazilian Portuguese: anedota
Chinese: 趣闻轶事
European Spanish: anécdota
French: anecdote
German: Anekdote
Italian: aneddoto
Japanese: エピソード
Korean: 일화
European Portuguese: anedota
Latin American Spanish: anécdota
(noun)
Definition
a short amusing account of an incident
He has a talent for recollection and anecdote.
Synonyms
story
a popular love story with a happy ending
tale
a collection of poems and folk tales
sketch
short story
yarn (informal)
Doug has a yarn or two to tell me about his trips into the bush.
reminiscence
urban myth
urban legend
Additional synonyms
in the sense of tale
Definition
a report, account, or story
a collection of poems and folk tales
Synonyms
story,
narrative,
anecdote,
account,
relation,
novel,
legend,
fiction,
romance,
saga,
short story,
yarn (informal),
fable,
narration,
conte,
spiel (informal),
urban myth,
urban legend
in the sense of yarn
Definition
a long involved story
Doug has a yarn or two to tell me about his trips into the bush.