anecdotal

adjective

an·​ec·​dot·​al ˌa-nik-ˈdō-tᵊl 

1

: based on or consisting of reports or observations of usually unscientific observers

anecdotal evidence

health benefits that may be more anecdotal than factual

2

a

: of, relating to, or consisting of anecdotes

an anecdotal biography

b

: given to or skilled in telling anecdotes : anecdotic sense 2

my anecdotal uncle

3

: of, relating to, or being the depiction of a scene suggesting a story

anecdotal details

anecdotally

ˌa-nik-ˈdō-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of anecdotal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Much of the anecdotal literature classifies the New Jersey Constitution’s voting qualifications as either accidental or inconsequential. —Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 July 2025

The plentiful evidence for this is both quantitative and anecdotal. —Richard Carleton Hacker, Robb Report, 21 June 2025

That echoes the anecdotal research Leppla has conducted in parking lots around UF. —Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025

Some people also claim that rubbing it into the feet can promote sleep—though that’s mostly anecdotal. —Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 29 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

see anecdote

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing anecdotal

• anecdotal evidence

Rhymes for anecdotal

• hypocotyl
• sacerdotal
• motile
• total
• subtotal