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Rumor vs Anecdote - What's the difference?

rumor | anecdote |

As nouns the difference between rumor and anecdote

is that rumor is a statement or claim of questionable accuracy, from no known reliable source, usually spread by word of mouth while anecdote is a short account of a real incident or person, often humorous or interesting.

As a verb rumor

is to tell a rumor about; to gossip.

rumor

English

Alternative forms

* rumour (UK, Commonwealth, International)

Noun

  • (US, countable) A statement or claim of questionable accuracy, from no known reliable source, usually spread by word of mouth.
    • There's a rumor going round that he's going to get married.
  • (US, uncountable) Information or misinformation of the kind contained in such claims.
    • They say he used to be a thief, but that's just rumor .

    Synonyms

    * (piece of information) * (information) gossip, hearsay, talk, tittle-tattle

    Derived terms

    * rumor campaign * rumor has it

    Hypernyms

    * information

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (transitive, usually, used in the passive voice) To tell a rumor about; to gossip.
    • John is rumored to be next in line for a promotion.
    ----

    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