What does "annals" mean?
plural of annal
Annals
/ˈæn.əlz/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: plural of annal
- Grammar: annals is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: account, adventure, adventures, ancient chronicles.
- Useful contrasts: fiction, irregular publication, myth.
- Usage evidence: The lessons learned from the annals of history on peak wood should heighten our awareness of the consequences of the limits of natural resources.
How to use "annals"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "annals" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "annals" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "annals" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "annals" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "annals" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "account" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "annals", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 plural of annal form-of, plural
- 2 A relation of events in chronological order, each event being recorded under the year in which it happened. plural, plural-only
"So ended this great siege, the most memorable in the annals of the British isles. It had lasted a hundred and five days"
- 3 a chronological account of events in successive years wordnet
- 4 Historical records; chronicles; history. plural, plural-only
"the short and simple annals of the poor"
- 5 reports of the work of a society or learned body etc wordnet
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A periodic publication, containing records of discoveries, transactions of societies, etc. plural, plural-only
"Annals of Science"
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"The lessons learned from the annals of history on peak wood should heighten our awareness of the consequences of the limits of natural resources."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "annals"?
Common synonyms include: account, adventure, adventures, ancient chronicles, annual publication, annual report.
How do you use "annals" in a sentence?
The lessons learned from the annals of history on peak wood should heighten our awareness of the consequences of the limits of natural resources.
How do you pronounce "annals"?
Pronounced /ˈæn.əlz/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French annales, from Latin annālēs librī (“chronicles”), from annālis (“pertaining to a year”), from annus (“year”) + librī, plural of liber (“book”). Compare with annual.