WordValeanachronism
something placed in the wrong historical period
In more detail
1. (noun) something that exists or is used at a time when it did not actually exist or was not in use; a person or thing that belongs to an earlier period
2. (noun) the mistake of placing something in the wrong time period in a book, movie, or historical work
Examples
- Using a smartphone in a movie set in 1950 is an anachronism.
- The author made an anachronism by having characters use electricity in a story set in medieval times.
How to use anachronism
An anachronism refers either to an object, custom, or person existing outside its proper historical period, or to the error of such a misplacement in creative or historical works. It emphasizes temporal incongruity rather than mere inaccuracy, and is commonly used in literary criticism, history, and entertainment contexts. The term carries a tone of noting something that feels out of place or impossible.
Common phrases
- historical anachronism
- glaring anachronism
- obvious anachronism
- an anachronism in the story
- point out an anachronism
Synonyms
anomaly · inconsistency · absurdity · misplacement
Word family
anachronistic (adjective) · anachronistically (adverb) · anachronize (verb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use anachronism to mean simply any historical error, when it specifically involves something belonging to the wrong time period rather than incorrect dates or facts.
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