anecdotal

[ an-ik-doht-l ]

adjective

1. pertaining to, resembling, or containing anecdotes:

   an anecdotal history of jazz.

2. Fine Arts. (of the treatment of subject matter in representational art) pertaining to the relationship of figures or to the arrangement of elements in a scene so as to emphasize the story content of a subject. Compare narrative ( def 7 ).
3. based on personal observation, case study reports, or random investigations rather than systematic scientific evaluation:

   anecdotal evidence.

anecdotal

/ ˌænɛkˈdəʊtəl /

adjective

1. containing or consisting exclusively of anecdotes rather than connected discourse or research conducted under controlled conditions

Other Word Forms

• an·ec·do·tal·ism noun
• an·ec·do·tal·ly adverb
• un·an·ec·do·tal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anecdotal¹

First recorded in 1830–40; anecdote + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Americans are far from united about their government's actions and much of the evidence for changing sentiments is anecdotal.

From BBC

Under the new Trump administration, anecdotal stories of foreign tourists, scientists and activists being denied entry or taken into federal custody have rattled outspoken acts.

From Los Angeles Times

He says that "anecdotal evidence" is stacking up that a significant portion of the 238 had no criminal records "not in Venezuela nor in the United States and much less in El Salvador".

From BBC

Alison Payne, research director at Reform Scotland, said it wanted to get a better idea of the impact on teaching after hearing anecdotal reports of rising stress levels.

From BBC

The ONS said anecdotal evidence suggestion many of these pitches were now found on online platforms instead.

From BBC

Related Words

• unreliable
• unscientific