anecdotal
Based on personal accounts rather than systematic evidence
Examples
In a meeting
“The feedback is purely anecdotal—we need quantitative data before making changes.”
Over coffee
“My evidence is just anecdotal, but everyone I know has had the same experience.”
Why this word
personal
Anecdotal specifically means based on individual stories rather than systematic evidence, while personal just means individual
unverified
Anecdotal describes evidence from casual observation or individual cases, while unverified simply means not confirmed
informal
Anecdotal refers to evidence from isolated examples or stories, while informal describes casual presentation
Usage tip
Use to qualify evidence that comes from stories or individual experiences rather than research. Often implies limited reliability.
Etymology
Greek: anekdota (unpublished items) from an- (not) + ekdotos (published)
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Related words
concise
Giving a lot of information clearly in few words.
substantiate
To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of a claim.
substantiated
To provide evidence or proof for a claim
abbreviate
Shorten a word, phrase, or text
empirical
Based on observation or experience rather than theory
probative
Serving to test, prove, or demonstrate something, especially as evidence