anthology

6 synonyms for anthology, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A book containing a selection of poems, stories or essays, usually by different writers and chosen around a theme.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

collection reader

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

compilation

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

selection miscellany box set

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A book containing a selection of poems, stories or essays, usually by different writers and chosen around a theme.

“Her first published poem appeared in a school anthology.”

collection compilation selection reader miscellany

2. noun

A collection of recorded music, films or episodes brought together in one release or series.

“The label released a three-disc anthology of her early singles.”

compilation box set collection

How to use anthology

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

poetry anthology edit an anthology anthology series appear in an anthology

Neutral; standard in publishing, music and broadcasting.

Etymology

From Greek anthologia 'a gathering of flowers', from anthos 'flower' and -logia 'collection'.

Full origin of anthology →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an anthology and a collection?

A collection usually gathers work by a single author, while an anthology gathers work by several different authors around a theme, period or form. In music and television the words are used more loosely, and 'anthology' often signals a curated selection.

What is an anthology series?

It is a television or radio series in which each episode or season tells a complete, separate story, often with a new cast. The link between instalments is a theme, a tone or a format rather than a continuing plot.

Where does the word anthology come from?

It comes from Greek and literally means a gathering of flowers. Early Greek collections of short poems were pictured as bouquets, each poem picked for its beauty.

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collection reader compilation selection miscellany

Nearby words

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