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

• 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

See Examples For:

historically

Europe has been swept by weeks of devastating wildfires fuelled by dry conditions and a historically hot summer that has already contributed to the deaths of thousands of people.

From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026

Carrollton Ridge in southwest Baltimore, with historically some of the highest homicide rates in the city, still has about 750 vacant homes, 40 more than it had 10 years ago.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

The rules will reportedly stop owners from deliberately killing off trade in order to justify a closure, protecting pubs which have been historically successful.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

We’re navigating historically expensive housing, student debt, inflation, stagnant entry-level wages and a social landscape with more entertainment options than previous generations had.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

Recall that apples were historically among the most difficult fruit trees to cultivate and among the last major ones to be domesticated in Eurasia, because their propagation requires the difficult technique of grafting.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond