historically

IPA/hɪˈstɒrɪkli/
KK[hɪstˈɔrɪkəli]IPA/hɪˈstɔːrɪkli/

historically — adverb

1. based on how the past is studied or interpreted by scholars — for example, calli

1.adverbB2
Definition

based on how the past is studied or interpreted by scholars — for example, calling a document historically important because it helps experts understand an earlier time.

Example

Historically, the treaty is considered a turning point in relations between the two neighboring countries.

Historically + passive (be considered)

The old letters are historically valuable because they describe trade between Asia and Europe.

historically + adjective (valuable)

Common collocations
  • historically significant
  • historically accurate
  • historically important
  • historically valuable
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

Historically, + clause

historically + adjective

Usage Note

Often placed before an adjective (historically significant, historically accurate) or at the start of a sentence to frame a statement about how the past is understood or depicted.

Common Mistakes

The film is historical accurate.
The film is historically accurate.
'historical' is an adjective and cannot modify another adjective; you need the adverb 'historically'.

2. comparing current amounts or levels with those from earlier periods — for exampl

2.adverbB2
Definition

comparing current amounts or levels with those from earlier periods — for example, describing interest rates as historically low because they are far below 1980s levels.

Example

The average temperature this July is historically high, surpassing every summer on record since 1950.

historically + adjective (high) + present participle clause

Housing prices in the area are historically low compared to other major cities.

historically + adjective (low)

Common collocations
  • historically low
  • historically high
  • historically significant increase
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

historically + comparative adjective

Historically, + clause about trends

Usage Note

Common with comparative adjectives (lower, higher) to describe current conditions relative to past levels. Often used in financial or economic reporting.

Common Mistakes

Unemployment is historical low this year.
Unemployment is historically low this year.
Use the adverb form when modifying an adjective.

3. at many points in the past, especially when describing patterns or conditions th

3.adverbB1
Definition

at many points in the past, especially when describing patterns or conditions that existed over a long stretch of time — for example, saying that a region was historically home to several different ethnic groups.

Example

Historically, women could not vote in most countries until the early 1900s.

Historically, + past simple for general past fact

The village had historically relied on fishing as its main source of food.

Common collocations
  • historically relied on
  • historically served as
  • historically been
Synonyms
  • traditionally

    focuses on customs or long-standing practices

  • in the past

    more general, not limited to long periods

  • formerly

    more formal, often about a specific earlier state

Antonyms
  • nowadays

    contrasts past with present conditions

  • currently

    focuses only on the present moment

Grammar Patterns

Historically, + clause about past patterns

Usage Note

Often appears at the start of a clause to introduce a broad statement about past patterns. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not imply a scholarly approach — it simply refers to what was true in earlier times.

Common Mistakes

The building was historical a school but now it is a library.
The building was historically a school but now it is a library.
Use the adverb, not the adjective, when saying what something was in the past.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/3

Traditionally, in the past, formerly, and once all refer to earlier times but differ in scope and register. Traditionally emphasizes customs or practices passed down through generations ('Traditionally, families gather for a big meal at Lunar New Year'). In the past is the broadest and most neutral, covering any time before the present moment. Formerly is more formal and usually points to a specific earlier state or role that has changed ('The building was formerly a train station'). Once is the most specific, singling out a particular past event or condition ('The area was once covered by dense forest'). Historically differs by tending to span longer periods and often introducing general patterns or facts about earlier eras across centuries or decades.

traditionally ↗in the pastformerly ↗once ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • Historically, [clause]
  • historically + [adjective]
  • has historically + [past participle]
  • historically speaking

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Historically comes from the adjective 'historical' (first recorded in the 1400s, from Latin 'historicus' — 'relating to history' — plus the English suffix '-al') combined with the adverb-forming suffix '-ly'. The Latin root traces further back to the Greek word 'historikos', which comes from 'historia' meaning 'inquiry, knowledge gained by investigation'. Over time, the meaning expanded from 'relating to the study of the past' to also describe how things compare or have existed across time.