anecdotal

Also found in: Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia.

an·ec·dot·al

(ăn′ĭk-dōt′l)

adj.

1. also an·ec·dot·ic (-dŏt′ĭk) or an·ec·dot·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl) Of, characterized by, or full of anecdotes.

2. Based on casual observations or indications rather than rigorous or scientific analysis: "There are anecdotal reports of children poisoned by hot dogs roasted over a fire of the [oleander] stems" (C. Claiborne Ray).

an′ec·dot′al·ist n.

an′ec·dot′al·ly adv.

anecdotal

(ˌænɛkˈdəʊtəl)

adj

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

an•ec•do•tal

(ˈæn ɪkˌdoʊt l, ˌæn ɪkˈdoʊt l)

adj.

1. pertaining to, resembling, or containing anecdotes.

2. based on incidental observations or reports rather than systematic evaluation.

[1830–40]

an`ec•do′tal•ism, n.

an`ec•do′tal•ly, adv.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Adj.	1.	anecdotal - having the character of an anecdote; "anecdotal evidence"
	2.	anecdotal - characterized by or given to telling anecdotes; "anecdotal conversation"; "an anecdotal history of jazz"; "he was at his anecdotic best" anecdotic, anecdotical communicatory, communicative - able or tending to communicate; "was a communicative person and quickly told all she knew"- W.M.Thackeray

anecdotal

adjective unreliable, untrustworthy, based on rumour countless anecdotal reports

Translations

anecdotique

aneddotica aneddotico

anedótico

anecdotal

[ˌænɪkˈdəʊtəl] ADJ → anecdótico

anecdotal

[ˌænɪkˈdəʊt^əl] adj

(= based on individual accounts) anecdotal evidence → témoignages m
There is anecdotal evidence that fewer trainees are being offered jobs once they qualify → Les témoignages rapportent que de moins en moins de stagiaires se voient offrir un emploi au terme de leur formation.
At first, the evidence was mainly anecdotal
BUT Dans un premier temps il ne s'agissait que de témoignages isolés.

(= full of anecdotes) [account, story] → anecdotique

anecdotal

adj → anekdotenhaft, anekdotisch

anecdotal

[ænɪkˈdəʊtl] adj → aneddotico/a

Mentioned in ?

References in classic literature ?

Sabin more entertaining, had never more appreciated his rare gift of effortless and anecdotal conversation.

View in context

Smalls' engaging personal narrative and anecdotal style brings to life the world of ancestors singing a capella blues and plantation melodies, and explains the meaning of those songs in the context of the 20th century by interlining the sacred musical tradition of the Gullah culture from the isolated islands of the Georgia coast.

Heritage Not Hate: Discovering Gullah and Finding Myself

But The Inner Work of Leaders takes a fascinating, anecdotal look at how respected leaders think and act -- and inspire those around them.

The Inner Work of Leaders: Leadership as a Habit of Mind

There is no shortage of anecdotal claims of success.

Do you feel drawn to Magnet Therapy?

Anecdotal reports suggested a mixed picture in nonresidential real estate markets.

Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee Meeting held on September 30, 1997

In addition to engaging in specific social and political debates, Cahn delves into more universal themes, causing the images she creates to function rather abstractly, so that at first one often overlooks any illustrative or anecdotal subject matter.

Miriam Cahn

Rivlin, a longtime observer of Chicago's political scene, has a punchy, anecdotal style.

A Fire on the Prairie: Chicago's Harold Washington and the Politics of Race

More than mere war stories, however, these anecdotal memoirs strip all of the supposed glory from close-in ground combat and show it in all of its filth, grief, and abject terror.

Clark, Johnnie M. Gunner's glory; untold stories of Marine machine gunners

Detecting gives practical tools to mediate disagreements--especially Operational Definitions (clarifying the initial definitions both parties are working from) and Anecdotal Reporting (a meticulous description of a series of actions, comments, and responses in order to discover patterns).

B. S. Detecting

The author also presents a wealth of anecdotal evidence.

How Dogs Think: Understanding the Canine Mind

I'm curious about the word anecdotal, as in anecdotal evidence.

Imperial secrets

The Commons Defence Committee said there was "strong anecdotal evidence" that stringent conditions laid down by the manufacturers for issuing Lariam had been ignored by the armed forces.