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
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
25 June 2026
According to the city’s naming policy, a valid name must meet at least one of several criteria including a geographic location, a historical event, or an individual deceased for at least five years who made significant contributions to San Jose.
—
Ryan MacAsero,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
Beyond their historical expertise, exceptional guides also know the best times to visit major sites, how to avoid crowds, and how to handle tricky logistics.
—
Jackie Deantonis,
Travel + Leisure,
25 June 2026
Despite escalating attacks and historical persecution, Ukrainian morale remains high, with diverse religious communities unified in resilient solidarity.
—
Mark Temnycky,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for historical
Cite this Entry
“Historical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/historical. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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historical
adjective
