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.

---

Other Word Forms

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

Wall Street has punished the company amid steep losses in its cable TV and broadband internet units, and because NBCUniversal has historically generated its biggest profits from its cable channels.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

The best thing about the jobs market is the historically low level of layoffs and the low unemployment rate.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 1, 2026

Defence procurement has historically been a source of major budget overruns for the MoD.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026

The reason they don’t, Baltussen says, is that gold historically has done a poor job of providing “cost effective downside protection.”

From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026

A proportionately low number of these members were from the rural areas, the regions where the ANC had historically been weakest.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela