What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Hearsay vs Anecdote - What's the difference?

hearsay | anecdote |

As nouns the difference between hearsay and anecdote

is that hearsay is information that was heard by one person about another while anecdote is a short account of a real incident or person, often humorous or interesting.

hearsay

English

(wikipedia hearsay)

Noun

(en-noun)
  • information that was heard by one person about another
  • (legal) evidence based on the reports of others rather than on personal knowledge; normally inadmissible because not made under oath
  • (legal) evidence: an out-of-court statement offered in court for the truth of the matter asserted; normally inadmissible because not subject to cross-examination, unless the hearsay statement falls under one of the many exceptions

    • Synonyms

    * report * rumor * common talk * gossip

    See also

    * hear * as they say * you know what they say * so they say

    External links

    * *

    anecdote

    English

    (wikipedia anecdote)

    Alternative forms

    * anecdota * anecdoton (Grecian) * anecdotum

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A short account of a real incident or person, often humorous or interesting.
  • An account which supports an argument, but which is not supported by scientific or statistical analysis.
  • A previously untold secret account of an incident.

    • Derived terms

    * anecdotage * anecdotal * anecdotalism * anecdotally * anecdotard * anecdotarian * anecdoter * anecdotic * anecdotical * anecdotish (rare) * anecdotist * anecdotive (rare) * anecdotographer