anthology

noun

an·​thol·​o·​gy an-ˈthä-lə-jē 

plural anthologies

1

: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music

an anthology of American poetry

2

: assortment

… an anthology of threadbare clichés of … bistro cuisine …

—Jay Jacobs

anthological

ˌan(t)-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

Synonyms of anthology

• compilation

Examples of anthology in a Sentence

an anthology of American poetry

The band will be releasing an anthology of their earlier albums.

Recent Examples on the Web

Little House on the Prairie has debuted on Netflix at #2, behind only the ever-present Worst Neighbor Ever true crime anthology. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

The singer, whose casting was initially revealed in October 2025, was set to make her debut on the anthology series alongside several returning stars, including Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, and Angela Bassett. — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2026

The show earned four Emmy nominations Wednesday, including for best limited or anthology series. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 9 July 2026

Like the reading, this anthology finds its form through Adnan’s life, pulling her devotees into a chorus of voices. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French & New Latin; French anthologie, going back to Middle French, borrowed from New Latin anthologia, borrowed from Greek anthología "gathering of flowers," from anthológos "flower-gathering" (from antho- antho- + -logos, nominal ablaut derivative of légein "to gather, collect") + -ia -ia entry 1 — more at legend

Note: The sense "collection of extracts" is found earlier in the parallel formation anthológion, attested in Byzantine Greek.

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for anthology

• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology
• ethnology

Kids Definition

anthology

noun

an·​thol·​o·​gy an-ˈthäl-ə-jē 

plural anthologies

: a collection of literary pieces

anthologist

-jəst

noun