Close in meaning
Historic vs. Historical
Historic means important or famous in history, likely to be remembered. Historical means relating to the past or to the study of history. A historic win makes headlines; a historical novel is set in the past.
| Word | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| historic | adjective | important in history, or famous because of its place in history |
| historical | adjective | relating to the past, to history, or to the study of history |
Historic
adjective: important in history, or famous because of its place in history
- The town restored its historic train station.
- The first moon landing was a historic moment.
Historical
adjective: relating to the past, to history, or to the study of history
- The museum has a large collection of historical maps.
- Hana loves historical dramas set in the 1800s.
How to remember the difference
Historic makes history: big, memorable events. Historical comes from history: anything about the past.
Good to know
Both a historic and an historic are seen, but a historic is standard in American English because the h is pronounced. Historical can also mean based on real past events rather than legend, as in historical records.
Spot the mistake
The team's first championship was a truly
historicalhistoric victory.Correct: The team's first championship was a truly historic victory.
Check yourself
Pick the word that fits each sentence.
1. The record-breaking snowfall was a event for the small town.
Answer: historic. The event is important and memorable enough to make history, so historic fits.
2. She spent the summer reading letters in the city archive.
Answer: historical. The letters simply come from the past, so historical fits.