anecdote

[ an-ik-doht ]

noun

, plural an·ec·dotes an·ec·do·ta [an-ik-, doh, -t, uh].

1. a short account of a particular incident or event, especially of an interesting or amusing nature.
2. a short, obscure historical or biographical account.

anecdote

/ ˈænɪkˌdəʊt /

noun

1. a short usually amusing account of an incident, esp a personal or biographical one

Derived Forms

• ˌanecˈdotic, adjective
• ˌanecˈdotalist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of anecdote¹

First recorded in 1670–80; from New Latin anecdota or French anecdotes, from Late Greek, Greek anékdota “things unpublished” (referring particularly to Procopius's unpublished memoirs of Justinian and Theodora), neuter plural of anékdotos, equivalent to an- an- ¹ + ékdotos “given out,” adjective derivative of ekdidónai “to give out, publish” ( ek- ec- + didónai “to give”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of anecdote¹

C17: from Medieval Latin anecdota unpublished items, from Greek anekdotos unpublished, from an- + ekdotos published, from ekdidonai, from ek- out + didonai to give

Example Sentences

The inciting incident onstage — a school bully makes fun of the young girl’s condition, and her brother vengefully punches him in the face — is inspired by an actual anecdote.

From Los Angeles Times

Veering off down memory lane, the actor regaled the crowd with an anecdote about "Rocky," using it as a segue to equate Trump with an even bigger historical figure, the son of God.

From Salon

Because of his omnipresence in Hollywood, Jones became a repository of gossip and anecdotes.

From Salon

We all need an anecdote about Ethel Merman, who starred as Rose, the overbearing stage mother.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps the most revealing Hollywood anecdote is about Murphy, who created the 2015 Fox show “Scream Queens,” which Palmer co-starred on for two seasons.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• episode
• gag
• narration
• narrative
• reminiscence
• short story
• sketch
• tale
• tall tale
• yarn