noun
Uncommon
anecdote
AN-ihk-doht
Anecdote (noun) means a short, often amusing story about a real event or person. Example: “He opened his speech with a funny anecdote about his first job.”
noun
1
A short, often amusing story about a real event or person.
"He opened his speech with a funny anecdote about his first job."
"She shared an anecdote about meeting the author years earlier."
How to use anecdote
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA brief true story, usually told to illustrate a point or entertain, rather than a formal or statistical account.
Common mistake
"Anecdotal evidence" means evidence based on personal stories rather than rigorous data — it's often less reliable than it sounds.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a funny anecdote
share an anecdote
anecdotal evidence
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Word forms
- Plural
- anecdotes
- Third person singular
- anecdotes
- Past tense
- anecdoted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He opened his speech with a funny _____ about his first job.
Etymology
From French anecdote, ultimately from Greek anekdotos, "unpublished" — originally referring to untold behind-the-scenes stories.
Rhymes for anecdote
See all rhymes for anecdote →Frequently asked questions
What does “anecdote” mean?
The word “anecdote” means a short, often amusing story about a real event or person. In plain terms, a brief true story, usually told to illustrate a point or entertain, rather than a formal or statistical account.
How do you pronounce “anecdote”?
“Anecdote” is pronounced AN-ihk-doht (/ˈæn.ɪkˌdoʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “anecdote” in a sentence?
Here is “anecdote” used in a sentence: “He opened his speech with a funny anecdote about his first job.”
What part of speech is “anecdote”?
“Anecdote” is a noun.
Where does the word “anecdote” come from?
The word “anecdote” comes from French. From French anecdote, ultimately from Greek anekdotos, "unpublished" — originally referring to untold behind-the-scenes stories.
Is “anecdote” a common word?
“Anecdote” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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