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

Some schools might generate only a handful of print; a team like Ohio State, on the other hand, produces its own anthology. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

The latest iteration of the anthology series follows Lizzie Borden and marks the first tale to center on a woman. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026

Grossman will next be seen in the 13th Season of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series, American Horror Story. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

In 2023, season one raked in eight Emmys, including best limited series or anthology, lead actor, lead actress, writing and directing. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 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