anecdote

[ an-ik-doht ]

noun

, plural an·ec·dotes an·ec·do·ta [an-ik-, doh, -t, uh].

1. a short account of a particular incident or event, especially of an interesting or amusing nature.
2. a short, obscure historical or biographical account.

anecdote

/ ˈænɪkˌdəʊt /

noun

1. a short usually amusing account of an incident, esp a personal or biographical one

Derived Forms

• ˌanecˈdotalist, noun
• ˌanecˈdotic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anecdote¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from New Latin anecdota or French anecdotes, from Late Greek, Greek anékdota “things unpublished” (referring particularly to Procopius's unpublished memoirs of Justinian and Theodora), neuter plural of anékdotos, equivalent to an- an- ¹ + ékdotos “given out,” adjective derivative of ekdidónai “to give out, publish” ( ek- ec- + didónai “to give”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of anecdote¹

C17: from Medieval Latin anecdota unpublished items, from Greek anekdotos unpublished, from an- + ekdotos published, from ekdidonai, from ek- out + didonai to give

Example Sentences

Each photograph is combined with stories or anecdotes about that specific animal and informative facts about their species.

From Popular-Science

Rife with stunning photography and beautiful illustrations, Eicher delivers wonderfully written anecdotes, fun facts, and longer stories about discovery and innovation when it comes to galactic exploration.

From Popular-Science

Armed with a seemingly endless supply of outrageous anecdotes, memorable analogies, puns and quips, he makes the thorny theoretical details of the quantum internet both entertaining and accessible.

From Science News

The idea that female world leaders were outperforming male ones was based on several high-profile anecdotes.

From Quartz

I recommend the audiobook because the inflection matters and hammers home some of the anecdotes shared.

From Digiday

In doing so, the vice president delighted the audience with a personal anecdote from his childhood as Joey Biden.

From The Daily Beast

The anecdote is a perfect parable for the power and ignorance of artistic patrons.

From The Daily Beast

Before we get off the phone, Kent stumbles and stammers until finding her footing in a heartwarming anecdote.

From The Daily Beast

In the same interview, he told an anecdote about what it means to be a good salesman.

From The Daily Beast

One visitor, an elderly woman named Mrs. Lacey, relays an anecdote about her American son-in-law.

From The Daily Beast

We were speaking of the faculty of mimicry, and he told me such a funny little anecdote about Chopin.

From Project Gutenberg

Never anticipate the point or joke of any anecdote told in your presence.

From Project Gutenberg

Somers related an anecdote, well worthy to be remembered, which had been preserved by tradition in the noble house of De Vere.

From Project Gutenberg

One traditional anecdote, and the brief history of Peter Ilich as an official is complete.

From Project Gutenberg

Compare this Norman with the hero of the following little anecdote which the Scotch tell.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• episode
• gag
• narration
• narrative
• reminiscence
• short story
• sketch
• tale
• tall tale
• yarn