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

Study of cow tissues provides clues for unusual pattern of bird flu infections in dairy cattle On the human health side, there have been multiple anecdotal reports of farm workers who’ve been exposed to infected cattle suffering from conjunctivitis and other mild symptoms. —Helen Branswell, STAT, 7 May 2024

But anecdotal reports of illness on dairy farms hints that infections among humans may be more widespread than official data suggests. —Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 3 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

see anecdote

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing anecdotal

• anecdotal evidence