# anecdotal

/ˌænəkˈdoʊtəɫ/ (US) · /ˈænɪkdˌəʊtəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/anecdotal
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. not scientifically proven

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

describes information based on personal stories or individual examples rather than hard facts or scientific research.

For teachers: referring to evidence based on personal accounts or isolated incidents rather than rigorous, systematic investigation or statistical analysis.

- There is anecdotal evidence that the new herb helps sleep, but no scientific studies prove it yet.
- While the anecdotal reports from patients were encouraging, the clinical trial failed to demonstrate a statistically significant benefit over the placebo.

Usage: Frequently collocates with 'evidence', 'reports', or 'accounts'.

Teaching tip: In academic writing, this word often carries a slightly negative tone, suggesting that the information might not be reliable.

### 2. full of stories

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describes a style of speaking or writing that uses a lot of short, interesting stories about real people.

For teachers: characterised by or containing a high frequency of anecdotes; relating to the narrative style of an anecdote.

- The professor gave an anecdotal talk about his years working in the jungle.
- The biography was highly anecdotal, focusing more on charming personal stories than on a rigorous analysis of the subject's political legacy.

Usage: Can be used to describe a person's style or a specific piece of writing.

## Examples

- The evidence for this new diet is mostly anecdotal.
- While there is anecdotal evidence that the herb helps with sleep, no clinical trials have confirmed these claims.
- Scientists often dismiss anecdotal reports of rare phenomena until a sufficient number of documented cases allows for a formal statistical investigation into the underlying cause.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.