anecdote

noun

an·ec·dote | \ ˈa-nik-ˌdōt

plural anecdotes also anecdota\ ˌa-nik-ˈdō-tə

Definition of anecdote

: a usually short narrative of an interesting, amusing, or biographical incident

Synonyms The Greek Smear Job at the Root of Anecdote Example Sentences Learn More about anecdote

Keep scrolling for more

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 English speakers originally used an anglicized version of the book's name for similar secret or unpublished histories or biographies, and by the 17th century, the meaning of anecdote had been broadened to cover any interesting or amusing personal tale.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 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 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 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

Show Your Sense of Humor People love a good laugh (and probably expect it), so tell a joke or sprinkle a funny anecdote or two into your speech. — Country Living, "How to Write the Best Maid of Honor Speech," 16 May 2019 But the new family of three actually had a run-in with Philip while heading to today's photo call, according to a sweet anecdote shared by new mom Meghan. — Maggie Maloney, Town & Country, "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle "Bumped Into" Prince Philip With Baby Sussex at Windsor Castle," 8 May 2019 The late, great jazz writer Nat Hentoff was much enamored of a certain anecdote about Charlie Parker, the legendary saxophonist and modern jazz innovator. — Will Friedwald, WSJ, "‘Pick Up My Pieces: Gabrielle Stravelli Sings Willie Nelson’ Review: Jazz That Heads Down Home," 18 Apr. 2019 McCubbin shares a personal anecdote about an impulse post-breakup purchase of a $400 pair of too-small jeans. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "This is What's Actually Keeping You From KonMari'ing Your House," 3 Apr. 2019 But every so often, even in the midst of a jokey anecdote, Ms. Mulligan’s Woman stretches her long neck and tilts her chin upward. — Ben Brantley, New York Times, "Review: Carey Mulligan Tells a Harrowing Tale of ‘Girls & Boys’," 27 June 2018 Below, some of the juiciest, funniest, and sweetest anecdotes from the report. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "How Jackie Kennedy Helped John F. Kennedy, Jr. Start George Magazine," 10 Apr. 2019 And while trite may be preferable to embarrassing anecdotes from the bride and groom’s childhood, that’s an awfully low bar. — Karen Stabiner, New York Times, "A Wedding Day Saga Ends With Words From the Heart," 27 June 2018 Keep this page bookmarked all day for race results, photos and all the fun anecdotes from Franklin Field that make the event special. — Jonathan Tannenwald, Philly.com, "Penn Relays: Results, live updates from Saturday's races," 28 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anecdote.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.