historic
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 historic in a Sentence
Brian Evans, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
Chamizal, a national memorial: 800 S San Marcial St, El Paso
El Camino Real de los Tejas, a national historic trail: see trail map here
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, a national historic trail: runs through Texas and New Mexico.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2025
The new measurements may lead researchers toward a historic discovery.
—Daniel Apai, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Besides properties of historic interest, the Charlotte History Museum is presenting a few other awards, as well.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for historic
Cite this Entry
“Historic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/historic. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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historic
adjective
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