1
Core meaning
A brief account of a real or purported incident, often interesting or amusing but not necessarily representative evidence.
Example
The lecturer opened with an anecdote about her first excavation.
anecdote
/ˈænɪkdəʊt/ · AN-ik-dohtnoun
A brief account of a real or purported incident, often interesting or amusing but not necessarily representative evidence.
Use anecdote to express this relationship precisely: a brief account of a real or purported incident, often interesting or amusing but not necessarily representative evidence.
What anecdote Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common noun frame
Use this noun in a complete noun phrase, adding the complement that identifies what it refers to when needed.
Example
One vivid anecdote cannot establish a general trend.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact concept matters; a related term may describe its cause, evidence, or opposite instead.
Example
The memoir combines archival evidence with personal anecdotes.
Use anecdote Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The lecturer opened with an anecdote about her first excavation.
One vivid anecdote cannot establish a general trend.
The memoir combines archival evidence with personal anecdotes.
Precision Matters
Anecdote overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
anecdote
vs.Means a brief account of a real or purported incident, often interesting or amusing but not necessarily representative evidence.
harangue
Means a lengthy, forceful, and often angry speech that criticizes, lectures, or urges an audience.
anecdote
vs.Means a brief account of a real or purported incident, often interesting or amusing but not necessarily representative evidence.
synopsis
Means a brief summary or general overview of a longer work, argument, or sequence.
anecdote
vs.Means a brief account of a real or purported incident, often interesting or amusing but not necessarily representative evidence.
calumny
Means a false and malicious statement intended to damage someone's reputation; slander.
anecdote
vs.Means a brief account of a real or purported incident, often interesting or amusing but not necessarily representative evidence.
garrulous
Means excessively talkative, especially about unimportant matters.
Test anecdote in Context
The passage is a short account of a particular incident.
1
To illustrate the confusion, the author recounts a brief ___ about a traveller who boarded the wrong train.