Anecdote Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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anecdote

[ˈanɪkdoʊt ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

funny story

An anecdote is a short, amusing, or interesting story about a real incident or person. It is usually a personal account that provides a humorous or insightful perspective on a particular event or situation.

Synonyms

account, narrative, story, tale.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
anecdote	Used when sharing a short, amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person. Typically informal and personal. He told an anecdote about his childhood that made everyone laugh. She loves sharing anecdotes from her travels.
story	A broad term used for a description of real or imagined events, often for entertainment or moral lessons. She read a bedtime story to her children every night. The movie is based on a true story.
tale	Typically used for a simple, imaginative story, often involving fantastical elements or moral lessons. Often used in a literary or folklore context. The children loved listening to fairy tales before bed. He spun a tale of adventure and mystery.
narrative	Refers to a spoken or written account of connected events; a story, often with a particular perspective or point of view. The book offers a compelling narrative of the historical events. His narrative of growing up in a small town resonated with readers.
account	Used when describing a detailed report or description of an event or experience, often formal and factual. She gave a detailed account of what happened during the meeting. The witness provided an account of the accident to the police.

Examples of usage

Let me tell you a quick anecdote about my trip to Paris.
He always has a funny anecdote to share at parties.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

Anecdotes are commonly used in novels and plays to develop characters and provide context.
Famous authors like Mark Twain and Virginia Woolf often wove anecdotes into their writings to add humor or depth.

Psychology

People remember anecdotes better than facts because stories evoke emotions and create personal connections.
Anecdotes can influence people's beliefs and behavior by making abstract concepts more relatable.

Education

In teaching, sharing anecdotes can help illustrate a point and engage students by connecting lessons to real-life experiences.
Educators often use anecdotes to encourage empathy, allowing students to see situations from different perspectives.

Pop Culture

Television talk shows often feature guest anecdotes as a way to entertain the audience and share personal experiences.
Famous comedians like Ellen DeGeneres and Kevin Hart use anecdotes extensively in their routines to connect with their audiences.

Origin of 'anecdote'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Greek word 'anekdota', meaning 'unpublished things.'
In the past, anecdotes were often shared orally, passing tales through generations before being written down.

The word 'anecdote' originated from the Greek word 'anekdota', which means 'things unpublished'. In ancient times, anecdotes were secret and unpublished accounts of historical events. Over time, the term evolved to refer to short, interesting stories shared in social settings for entertainment or enlightenment. Anecdotes have been used throughout history to convey moral lessons, humor, or personal experiences.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,872, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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12869 functionally
12870 tremendously
12871 thrice
12872 anecdote
12873 surname
12874 heredity
12875 optimized
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