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

With their initial rag anthology, Riordan and Leland have filled a lingering void, creating a Switched-On Joplin for the modern age. —Aly Eleanor, Pitchfork, 19 Feb. 2026

Grossman’s most recent credits include Ryan Murphy’s anthology series, American Horror Story, and the comedy series Love, Victor, and The Goldbergs. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026

The anthology was made by Ukrainian filmmakers in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026

The movie earned Trachtenberg two Emmy nominations, including outstanding directing for a limited series anthology or movie and outstanding writing for a limited series anthology or movie. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 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