anthology
an-THOL-uh-jee
/ænˈθɒl.ə.dʒi/
A published collection of poems, stories, or other writings by various authors.
Implies a curated selection bound together under a common theme, era, or genre.
The story behind the word. In ancient Greece, 'anthologia' literally meant a gathering of flowers, or a flower garland. Greek scholars poetically used the word to describe collections of short epigrams, picturing each poem as a delicate flower woven into a beautiful literary bouquet.
Word relationships
- compilation: Compilation can apply to any gathered set of data or music, while anthology specifically implies curated literary works.
- monograph: A monograph is a detailed study written by a single author on a single subject.
Commonly confused with
- omnibus: An omnibus is a volume containing several complete works by a single author, whereas an anthology features works by multiple authors.
Word family
- anthologist (noun): a person who compiles anthologies
- anthologize (verb): to include in an anthology
Collocations
- poetry anthology
- edited anthology
- compile an anthology
- short story anthology
Example sentences
- "Students read selected short stories from an anthology of 20th-century American literature." Literature education
- "The editor compiled a poetry anthology showcasing diverse voices from around the world." Poetry curation
Memory hook
ANTHOS (flower) + LOGY = Gathering a bouquet of literary works. Collection of curated writings.
When not to use
Do not use for a single comprehensive book written by one person on a single topic; use monograph instead.
Fun facts
- The earliest known anthology was compiled in 100 BCE by Meleager of Gadara, titled 'The Garland', comparing each poet to a different flower.
Related words
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.