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

That's led Waller to rely more heavily on anecdotal reports from business contacts, which offers a mixed picture. —Scott Horsley, NPR, 29 Oct. 2025

Are these based on anecdotal material? —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

The researchers then drew a statistical connection between the timing of the flashes with the dates of above-ground nuclear weapons tests and anecdotal reports of UFOs. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025

Much of the information about astronaut family strain is anecdotal and can be based on reports and observations from loved ones of astronauts. —Jessica Rendall, Space.com, 10 Oct. 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