What is historical? Pronunciation and usage in English

historical means . Learn how to pronounce and use historical through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of historical

historicaladjective

/hɪˈstɒrɪkl/
Definition & pronunciation of historical

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "historical." It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown, and I'll give you a few ways to approach it:

1. The Core Sound (and the most important part):

  • "his": Pronounced like "hiss" – like you're blowing air out of your nose. Think "hiss-tor-ick-al"
  • "tor": This is the tricky part! It’s pronounced like "tore" – as in, "I tore a page out of a book." (The "i" sound changes slightly here)

2. Putting it Together:

  • his-TORE-ick-al

3. Syllable Breakdown & Tips:

  • his (as in “hiss”) - short and quick
  • tor (as in “tore”) – a little longer, with a slightly emphasized "o"
  • ick (like “pick”) – a quick, short sound
  • al (as in “ball”) - a quick, short sound (like the “a” in “apple”)

4. Recordings are Highly Recommended:

The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are a few resources:

5. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  • Saying "his-stor-i-cal": Don’t put an extra "i" sound in. The second “i” is silent.
  • Overemphasizing the "i" in "historical": It’s subtle! Aim for a smooth flow.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a native English speaker, or are you learning?
  • Do you have a particular accent (e.g., American, British, Australian)?

Usage and examples with the word historical in English

Let's break down how to use the word "historical" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a few different shades of meaning.

1. As an Adjective (Most Common Use): Describing Something Related to History

This is by far the most frequent way to use "historical." It means "having to do with history," "ancient," or "old."

  • Examples:
    • "The historical significance of the event is undeniable." (Meaning: It's important because of what happened in the past.)
    • "He studied historical architecture." (Meaning: He studied buildings from the past.)
    • "The museum showcased historical artifacts." (Meaning: The museum displayed old, important objects.)
    • "This is a historical period." (Meaning: It's a time in the past that’s significant.)
    • "They visited a historical site." (Meaning: They visited an important place from the past.)

2. As an Adjective (Specifically Meaning Authentic or Genuine)

Less common, but important! "Historical" can also mean genuinely or traditionally done in a certain way – often used in craft, food, or performance.

  • Examples:
    • “He’s been making historical bread using a 16th-century recipe.” (Meaning: He’s making bread exactly as it was done centuries ago - authentically.)
    • “The company prides itself on its historical methods of production.” (Meaning: They use traditional, time-tested methods.)
    • “The dancer’s performance was historical, a revival of a lost style.” (Meaning: It was a genuine, accurate representation of something old.)

3. As a Noun (Rare)

Sometimes, "historical" is used as a noun, referring to the field of study of history itself.

  • Example:
    • "He’s a renowned historical researcher." (Meaning: He is a scholar who studies history.)

Tips for Using "Historical" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning is intended.

  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms to add variety and precision to your writing:

    • For "related to history": ancient, old, past, bygone, bygone, traditional, classic
    • For "authentic": traditional, original, genuine, authentic, classic

  • Don't Overuse: While "historical" is a useful word, using it too frequently can make your writing sound stale. Vary your vocabulary.

Here’s a quick breakdown table:

Usage Meaning Example
Adjective Related to history A historical figure
Adjective Authentic/Genuine Historical methods of baking
Noun The study of history Historical research

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., essay, email, creative writing)
  • Can you provide a sentence or a short paragraph where you're considering using the word "historical"?

Synonyms for the word historical

Practice with vocabulary historical

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The museum features a fascinating collection of ___________ artifacts, some dating back over two millennia.
  2. Understanding the ___________ context of a text is essential for accurate interpretation, especially in literary analysis.
  3. The discovery of the Rosetta Stone was a truly ___________ event, fundamentally changing our understanding of hieroglyphs.
  4. Economists often conduct a ___________ analysis to identify long-term trends and patterns in market behavior.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following terms refers to the systematic study and interpretation of past events? a) Genealogical b) Historical c) Biographical d) Chronological

  2. To describe a moment or event of major significance that dramatically alters the course of future developments, which terms would be most appropriate? a) Historical b) Ancient c) Pioneering d) Historic e) Epoch-making

  3. When conducting research on economic trends over several centuries, a scholar would typically rely on: a) Contemporary reports b) Historical data c) Future predictions d) Modern statistics e) Archival records

  4. Identify the words that best complete the sentence: "The museum exhibition explored the ___________ factors that led to the collapse of the empire, drawing upon a wealth of ___________ documents." a) ancient / contemporary b) inherent / modern c) historical / primary d) cultural / recent e) chronological / fictional

  5. Which adjective most accurately describes a very old tradition that has been passed down through generations, often without significant change? a) Contemporary b) Historical c) Traditional d) Modern e) Archaic

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The study of past events and their significance is fundamental to understanding human progress. Rewrite using "historical":
  2. Original: Researchers consulted old documents and records to verify the dates. Rewrite using "historical":
  3. Original: The 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall was an extremely important moment for Europe. Rewrite without using "historical":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. ancient
  2. historical
  3. historic
  4. historical

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Historical
  2. d) Historic, e) Epoch-making
  3. b) Historical data, e) Archival records
  4. c) historical / primary
  5. c) Traditional, e) Archaic

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Historical inquiry is fundamental to understanding human progress.
  2. Researchers consulted historical documents and records to verify the dates.
  3. The 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall was a landmark event for Europe.

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