# anecdote

/ˈænəkˌdoʊt/ (US) · /ˈænɪkdˌəʊt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a short story

noun · CEFR B2

a short and often funny story about something that really happened to you or someone else.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. unscientific evidence

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a story used to support an idea that is not based on facts or science.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to tell stories

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

to tell short stories about real people or events.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He told a funny anecdote about his first day at work.
- The speaker opened her presentation with a personal anecdote to build a connection with the audience.
- While the researcher shared a compelling anecdote about a patient's recovery, the board requested statistical data to verify if the treatment was effective across a larger population.

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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.