historically

[ hi-stawr-ik-lee, -stor- ]

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 Words From

• an·ti·his·tor·i·cal·ly adverb
• non·his·tor·i·cal·ly adverb
• pseu·do·his·tor·i·cal·ly adverb
• qua·si-his·tor·i·cal·ly adverb
• sem·i·his·tor·i·cal·ly adverb
• su·per·his·tor·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·his·tor·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of historically¹

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

Example Sentences

Given our historical knowledge of its financial results, we might be able to nail some valuations to revenue figures, helping us understand, roughly, how the venture capital community was valuing Roblox while it was private.

From TechCrunch

Here is some historical perspective about losing a quarter of a million people, looking at major events in our past that have cost American lives.

From Washington Post

This historical romance is a warm friends-to-lovers comfort read you’ll savor repeatedly.

From Washington Post

Despite their historical presence along the California coast, short-term rentals have not been thoroughly evaluated as a means to help meet the state’s demand for lower-cost accommodations.

From Voice of San Diego

Hurst was brought on board to rescue Loder and Ourselves Alone from confused direction, accepting the poisoned chalice of trying to bring balance to a film that had fallen into a bitter tangle of political and historical arguments.

From Ozy

Historically the reelection rate for members of Congress is in the area of 95 percent.

From The Daily Beast

Historically, conquering armies have seized inhabitants of conquered areas and enslaved them.

From The Daily Beast

Historically Democrats, like Republicans, believed in American Exceptionalism.

From The Daily Beast

Did you envision your Pryor biography as extending your previous investigation—aesthetically and historically?

From The Daily Beast

Historically, the Puritans banned Christmas from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1659.

From The Daily Beast

However, it is important historically as the first battle of ironclad vessels in the United States.

From Project Gutenberg

Poetry was scarce but many scholarly articles, often historically inclined, were written.

From Project Gutenberg

The protestations of Mr. O'Connell were as insincere as his statements were historically untrue.

From Project Gutenberg

Either this or the historically more interesting Bay of Islands may be visited in a yacht from Auckland.

From Project Gutenberg

This phrase of Mirabeau's, though a whit rhetorical, is historically true.

From Project Gutenberg