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

California’s dairy industry has historically focused on milk production, but today, many dairies are producing renewable natural gas by capturing methane from manure.

From Los Angeles Times

Californians, who have historically supported efforts to raise the minimum wage, were not swayed this time around.

From Los Angeles Times

His embrace of those views put him out of step with some on Wall Street, which has historically seen tariffs as bad for corporate America.

From BBC

The film became a Hollywood classic and is preserved in the US Library of Congress's National Film Registry as culturally, historically and aesthetically important.

From BBC

This is a region that has historically helped to buffer the world from further warming, by absorbing some of the carbon dioxide produced from human activities.

From BBC