annals
C1Formal, literary, academic, historical.
Definition
Meaning
A chronological record of events, often year by year; historical records.
The record of activities or achievements in a particular field over time (e.g., "the annals of science").
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used in the plural form. Implies official, enduring, and comprehensive recording. Often carries a sense of grandeur or historical significance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more frequent in British academic/historical writing due to tradition.
Connotations
Connotes authority, permanence, and institutional memory in both variants.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse; high in historical, academic, and certain journalistic contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
enter the annals (of)go down in the annals (of)recorded in the annalsconsult the annalspreserved in the annalsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go down in the annals of history”
- “a footnote in the annals”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in "the annals of corporate history" for monumental successes/failures.
Academic
Common in history, literature, and science writing to refer to scholarly records or publications (e.g., Annals of Science).
Everyday
Very rare. Used for dramatic effect ("It was a day that would go down in the family annals.").
Technical
Used in library science (serial publications titled 'Annals'), historiography, and archival work.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We read about it in our history book.
- The treaty is recorded in the official annals of the state.
- His discovery earned him a place in the annals of medical science.
- The chronicler meticulously entered the succession of droughts and plagues into the town's annals.
- Scouring the dusty annals of the 18th-century court, the researcher found the missing evidence.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ANNALS = ANNUAL + RECORDS. Think of yearly records.
Conceptual Metaphor
HISTORY IS A WRITTEN RECORD (to be consulted, inscribed in, preserved).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with Russian "анналы" - usage is much narrower and more formal in English. Not a synonym for "history" (история) in a general sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a singular noun ("an annal").
- Confusing it with 'annuals' (yearly publications/plants).
- Using it in informal contexts where 'records' or 'history' would be better.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'annals' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the word is almost never used in the singular. It is a plurale tantum noun, like 'archives' or 'records'.
They are closely related. 'Annals' typically imply a strict year-by-year chronological record, often dry and factual. 'Chronicles' may imply more of a continuous narrative or story, though the terms are often used interchangeably.
Only when it is part of a proper title, e.g., 'Annals of Neurology'. In general usage, it is in lowercase.
No, it is a formal, low-frequency word primarily used in academic, historical, and literary contexts. Most learners will encounter it in reading rather than need it for speaking.
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