historical
adjective
Did you know?
historic or historical?
Do you experience a slight pause before using either of these words as you try to remember which one is correct and whether it should be preceded by an or a? If so, you’re not alone, for many people find this pair particularly tricky. Historic and historical are both occasionally found preceded by an, since the initial h in each word was formerly left unpronounced. Now this h is heard, and a is far more common than an (by a ratio of about 4 to 1 in American English).
Historic and historical have been used interchangeably by many writers, even in recent years. If you would like to avoid being corrected, however, use historical for matters relating to history (the historical society), and historic to refer to things having great and lasting importance (a historic occasion).
Examples of historical in a Sentence
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
The Motion Picture Association, which represents the major film and TV studios, endorsed the bill last year, after allowances were made for recreations of historical figures.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Blending personal archives, historical documents and contemporary footage, the film reconstructs the life of one family within the cycle of destruction and restoration in her hometown, Mariupol.
—Lise Pedersen, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Women directors can be catalysts for critical thinking and humility in the boardroom, urging colleagues to challenge assumptions, revisit past decisions, and assess new opportunities with a clear and balanced perspective, regardless of the company’s historical success.
—Committee Of 200, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for historical
Cite this Entry
“Historical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/historical. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
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historical
adjective
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