French word

anecdote

Pronunciation

IPA/anɛkdɔt/

Meaning

  • feminine nounanecdote

Example

Il a raconté une anecdote drôle pendant le dîner.

He told a funny anecdote during dinner.

Illustration for anecdote (anecdote)

More examples

Pendant la réunion, il a commencé par une anecdote pour détendre l'atmosphère.

During the meeting, he started with an anecdote to lighten the mood.

Core concept

A brief story that brings an unexpected side of a person or situation into view.

Common phrases

  • illustrer par une anecdote

    illustrate by means of an anecdote

  • donner une anecdote

    share an anecdote

  • une anecdote amusante

    a funny anecdote

Similar words

histoire: A chronological story about events or an imagined sequence of events.
récit: A detailed narrative of experiences or events presented in order.
souvenir: A recollection of something experienced personally in the past.
événement: A significant event that attracts attention from people or society.

Definition in French

Bref récit ou souvenir qui révèle un aspect d'une personne ou d'une situation, généralement partagé comme petite histoire.

Word origin

The French noun anecdote comes through Latin from Greek anékdota, the neuter plural of anékdotos, meaning unpublished.

Usage tips

  • Anecdote is feminine in French, so its article is une, as in une anecdote intéressante.

Related words

  • anecdotiqueminoradjective

Word lists with this word