sic

1 of 3

adverb

: intentionally so written
used after a printed word or passage to indicate that it is intended exactly as printed or to indicate that it exactly reproduces an original
said he seed [sic] it all

sic

2 of 3

verb

variants or less commonly sick
sicced also sicked ˈsikt How to pronounce sic (audio) ; siccing also sicking

transitive verb

1
: chase, attack
usually used as a command especially to a dog
sic 'em
2
: to incite or urge to an attack, pursuit, or harassment : set
sicced their lawyers on me

sic

3 of 3

chiefly Scottish variant of such

Did you know?

The adverb sic, usually enclosed in brackets, is a word editors use in the reproduction of someone else's speech or writing to indicate that an unexpected form exactly reproduces the original and is not a copier's mistake. Sic comes from Latin, in which it means "so" or "thus." Though it's a useful tool, some usage commentators feel it is bad manners to use a sic to needlessly call attention to someone's error or to deride the language of a less-educated person.

Examples of sic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
This is insane and truely [sic] a hazard to other people around you. WIRED, 17 Oct. 2023 There are no moral victories, there are (sic) no anything. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2023 This is the ingredient for mass casualty event (sic). Gabrielle Settles, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023 The franchise's latest spinoff, The Walking Dead: Dead City, which sics its shambling hordes on New York City, premieres this summer. Christian Holub, EW.com, 11 May 2023 On global politics, Trump had glowing praises for rulers for whom, if any Democrat had shared equal sentiments, Fox would sic every host and anchor onto them for months. Prem Thakker, The New Republic, 12 Apr. 2023 Tell you [sic] wife. Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, 2 May 2023 Keeping in touch with all concerned people and will do our outmost [sic], even under the current circumstances, to return the passports as soon as possible. Sana Noor Haq, CNN, 28 Apr. 2023 Remember this is your life to [sic]! Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Latin, so, thus — more at so

Verb

alteration of seek

First Known Use

Adverb

circa 1859, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sic was in 1845

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near sic

Cite this Entry

“Sic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

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