anecdotal

adjective

an·​ec·​dot·​al ˌa-nik-ˈdō-tᵊl 

1

: based on or consisting of reports or observations of usually unscientific observers

anecdotal evidence

health benefits that may be more anecdotal than factual

2

a

: of, relating to, or consisting of anecdotes

an anecdotal biography

b

: given to or skilled in telling anecdotes : anecdotic sense 2

my anecdotal uncle

3

: of, relating to, or being the depiction of a scene suggesting a story

anecdotal details

anecdotally

ˌa-nik-ˈdō-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of anecdotal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Per anecdotal reports from workers on the ground, six people were let go at Mount Rainier National Park, another half-dozen were laid off at North Cascades National Park and five were terminated at Olympic National Park, Wade said. —Melissa Santos, Axios, 19 Feb. 2025

Non-scientific, anecdotal reports from people taking semaglutide to treat diabetes or for weight loss also suggested that the medications curbed the desire to drink. —Alice Park, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025

Early results, anecdotal and otherwise, show a positive response among fans and around the grounds. —Jessy Parker Humphreys, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

The very nature of anecdotal health content means that Gibson won’t be the last influencer to make false claims online. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see anecdote

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing anecdotal

• anecdotal evidence

Rhymes for anecdotal

• hypocotyl
• sacerdotal
• motile
• total
• subtotal