historically

American  

[hi-stawr-ik-lee, -stor-] / hɪˈstɔr ɪk li, -ˈstɒr- /

adverb

1. in the past, especially typically or routinely.

   Although historically very active as a volunteer, he’s had to cut back since his stroke.

2. in a way that relates to significant past events, especially as chronicled in an accepted narrative.

   Only the naive, gullible, and historically ignorant will believe this nonsense.

   Make sure your argument is historically accurate.

3. in a way or to a degree that is particularly notable or unique in history or has significantly affected the development of past events.

   This is the time to sell a business quickly and easily, while interest rates are still historically low.

4. in a way that is based on or reconstructed from an event, custom, style, etc., in the past.

   The film historically reenacts the 442nd Regiment's triumphant rescue of the 36th Texas Division in the Vosges Mountains.

5. in a way that involves life or existence in the real world, as opposed to legend, myth, or fiction.

   Many of the stories may not be historically true, but they are nonetheless ethically true.

6. in a way that involves comparing several periods of development of a thing.

   Each institution, such as family, education, or market, can be studied historically to see how it has evolved over time.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pseudohistorically
  adverb
• semihistorically
  adverb
• quasi-historically
  adverb
• superhistorically
  adverb
• nonhistorically
  adverb
• unhistorically
  adverb
• antihistorically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of historically

First recorded in 1530–40; historical ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Explanation

Anything that has happened historically has been going on for a long time. A historically accurate picture of a time portrays it just right. If your model of a 1950’s soda shop is historically accurate, your grandmother will love it. Historically refers to things that have happened throughout history or somehow relate to history. If something is historically very difficult, then it’s been hard to do for a long time. Historically, nations have gone to war over oil. Wilt Chamberlain played historically well, scoring 100 points in a basketball game. As the first black President, Barack Obama is historically significant.

Example Sentences

SpaceX is valued at 100 times 2025 sales, and historically, such high price-to-sales ratios lead to underperformance.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

High rocket-launch costs have historically been the key barrier to entry, and SpaceX has led the effort to make it cheaper to get into orbit with its Falcon 9.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

On the other hand, he said, “insurance companies have not historically been great investors,” and “if you’re a hurricane victim and you need a place to sleep tomorrow, you need the cash right now.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

California definitely faces many problems, but we are also historically a state that pushes forward on hard issues.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

My grandfather says that it’s something Koreans have had to do historically, because Korea was invaded so many times.

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh