Word
anecdote
Phoneticsanec·dote
US/ˈænəkˌdoʊt/
UK/ˈænɪkdˌəʊt/
Definitions
01a short story
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a short and often funny story about something that really happened to you or someone else.
n. a brief account of a real incident or person, often humorous or interesting in nature.
“He told a funny anecdote about his first day at work to make us laugh.”
“The speaker opened his presentation with a charming anecdote about his early failures, immediately building a rapport with the audience.”
02unscientific evidence
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. a story used to support an idea that is not based on facts or science.
n. an account used to support an argument that lacks scientific or statistical verification.
“You cannot prove the medicine works just by sharing one person's anecdote.”
“While the researcher acknowledged the compelling nature of the patient's anecdote, she insisted that clinical trials were necessary to prove efficacy.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'anecdotal evidence'.
Teaching tip
In academic contexts, this sense is often used dismissively to suggest that a story is not sufficient proof for a general claim.
Antonyms
03to tell stories
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Formal
v. to tell short stories about real people or events.
v. to relate or recount anecdotes; to engage in the telling of brief personal narratives.
“They spent the whole evening anecdoted about their travels through Europe.”
“The retired professor loved to anecdote about his former colleagues, painting vivid pictures of the university's history.”
Usage
This verb form is significantly less common than the noun and is typically found in formal or older literature.
Teaching tip
Advise students to stick to the noun form; the verb is rare and may sound unnatural in modern conversation.
Real-World Examples
“He offers me a coffee when I arrive at his home on a sweltering June day, but then keeps getting distracted from making it by his own anecdotes.” “Personal anecdotes from online or the people you know may not apply to your situation.” Etymology
Late 17ᵗʰ c., from French anecdote, from Ancient Greek ἀνέκδοτος (anékdotos, “accounts unpublished”), from ἀν- (an-, “not, un-”) + ἔκδοτος (ékdotos, “published”), from ἐκδίδωμι (ekdídōmi, “I publish”), from ἐκ- (ek-, “out”) + δίδωμι (dídōmi, “I give”). Virtually identical cognates in other European languages – French anecdote, German Anekdote, Spanish anécdota, among others.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/anecdote