anecdote

noun

an·​ec·​dote ˈa-nik-ˌdōt How to pronounce anecdote (audio)
plural anecdotes also anecdota ˌa-nik-ˈdō-tə How to pronounce anecdote (audio)
: a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident

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The Greek Smear Job at the Root of Anecdote

The Byzantine official Procopius wrote three historical works in Greek. In the first two, he dealt with wars and public works projects, but the third was something of a departure from this kind of history. Referred to as "Anekdota," from the Greek a- meaning "not," and ekdidonai, meaning "to publish," it contained bitter attacks on the emperor Justinian, his wife, and other notables of contemporary Constantinople. Understandably, it was not published until after its writer's death. English speakers originally used an anglicized version of the book's name for similar secret or unpublished histories or biographies, and by the 17th century, the meaning of anecdote had been broadened to cover any interesting or amusing personal tale.

Examples of anecdote in a Sentence

Like many Jesuits who then ate most of their meals in refectories, McKenzie was a master raconteur with endless anecdotes, stories, and one-liners. Margaret O'Brien Steinfels, Commonweal, 11 Sept. 2009
If Antony had won, of course, the story would have been very different. Indeed, despite the dominance of the Augustan version of events, a few hostile anecdotes about the young Octavian probably offer a glimpse of what Antony's side was saying. Mary Beard, New York Review of Books, 12 Feb. 2009
appalling by turn, the dominant figure here is, as it should be, Evelyn. Evelyn Toynton, Harper's, August 2007
Any competent science reporter knows anecdotes are not data and that one dramatic story proves nothing. Editor & Publisher, 4 Nov. 2002
Deeply convinced of her own unattractiveness, frequently lonely and unimaginably needy, Joplin was a person who lived all over the page. It is impossible to read about her and not crave more anecdotes and personal details of such a wanton, tragic life. Kim France, New York Times Book Review, 2 May 1999
Alexander's use of the family's private papers—the Waughs were prolific writers of letters and diaries as well as books—not only adds richly to the entertainment value of his account but also serves to illuminate just how tangled are the threads of filial love, hurt, awe, and competitiveness that run through their work. Although he ranges freely over two centuries of family anecdotes, amusing and
He told us all sorts of humorous anecdotes about his childhood. told us once again that anecdote about the dog and the bike
Recent Examples on the Web The film coasts along on the strength of many snippets of music and anecdotes from a parade of singers and producers. Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 Perhaps the clearest and most practical view of the Russian military is an anecdote told by Ukrainian soldiers and recently shared with The New York Times: the Russian army is neither good nor bad, just long. Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 Evidence from a biography A key focus of Monday’s lawsuit is an anecdote reported in the Musk biography published by journalist Walter Isaacson last year. Brian Fung, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 No doubt a familiar flicker passes through her mind: this will be a great anecdote for my Oscar campaign. Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 But Ivory described ritualistic abuse as common in Utah, offering as evidence the anecdotes from constituents and a statewide investigation announced in 2022 that the Utah County Sheriff’s Office said resulted in over 130 tips. Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 23 Feb. 2024 The 176-page book features a series of musings, anecdotes and personal essays that draw from Apfel’s eclectic life and travels. Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Mar. 2024 The event, on the last Saturday of every month, brings in professional actors to do improvisational comedy based on a concept, anecdote or word from the evening’s sermon. Marisa Iati, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 Most notably, the opening anecdote in The Times’ story has been called into question — including by the very family of the victim. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anecdote.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Greek anekdota unpublished items, from neuter plural of anekdotos unpublished, from a- + ekdidonai to publish, from ex out + didonai to give — more at ex-, date

First Known Use

1718, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anecdote was in 1718

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Cite this Entry

“Anecdote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anecdote. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

anecdote

noun
an·​ec·​dote ˈan-ik-ˌdōt How to pronounce anecdote (audio)
: a brief story about something interesting or funny in a person's life
anecdotal
ˌan-ik-ˈdōt-ᵊl
adjective
anecdotally
-ᵊl-ē
adverb

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