Words / B1

hi-STOR-ik/hɪˈstɒrɪk/

Historic means famous or important in history, especially a building or event: a historic castle; a historic victory; a historic agreement. Historical means connected with the study of history or belonging to the past: a historical novel; historical documents — not necessarily famous. Historic buildings and historic events are the core B1 uses. Historically is the adverb. Do not call last Tuesday’s lunch historic unless it truly mattered in history.

Meaning

Famous or important in history, especially a building or event.

Examples

• “They visited a historic castle in Wales.”
• “The town is famous for its historic buildings.”
• “The two leaders signed a historic peace agreement.”

Good to know

a historic building / event / victory. Past / academic: historical (novel, documents). Adverb: historically. Not merely “old.”

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