historic
gb/hɪstˈɔɹɪk/ us/hɪstˈɔɹɪk/
A2
English
~ 3300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Important in history
Very important in history or for the future.
Usage pattern:
a historic [event/decision/building]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'historic' with 'historical'. 'Historic' means important in history, while 'historical' means related to history in general.
Synonyms
momentous (Emphasizes great significance, often for events that will be remembered.)
|
significant (General term for importance; not always tied to history.)
Antonyms
insignificant (Means lacking importance or influence.)
Collocations
historic event
|historic decision
|historic building
|historic moment
|historic site
Themes
history
|culture
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The signing of the peace treaty was a truly historic occasion.
- Scientists called the discovery a historic breakthrough in medicine.
- This building is one of the most historic landmarks in the city.
- It was a historic moment when humans first walked on the moon.
Learner examples
- The city had many historic buildings.
- It was a historic day for our country.
- The war ended after a historic meeting.
- We visited a historic castle.
adjective
A2
property
2
Old and preserved for history
Very old and kept because it is important to history.
Usage pattern:
a historic [site/building/place]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'old' instead of 'historic', but 'old' does not imply historical importance.
Synonyms
ancient (Very old, often thousands of years old; not always preserved.)
|
heritage (Refers to something inherited from the past, especially culture or property.)
Antonyms
modern (Refers to something from recent times.)
Collocations
historic site
|historic district
|historic monument
Themes
history
|tourism
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The town is famous for its historic architecture.
- Tourists come from around the world to see the historic ruins.
- They restored the historic house to its original condition.
Learner examples
- We visited a historic site last weekend.
- There are many historic buildings in this area.
- The museum is inside a historic house.
Grammar
Dictionary form
historic
IPA
GB/hɪstˈɔɹɪk/
US/hɪstˈɔɹɪk/
Syllables & stress
his - tor - ic (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tor)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: historic
Word family
Core family
Related words
prehistoric
adjective B2
prehistory
noun
Negative and opposite forms
ahistorical
adjective
Advanced or less common
historicity
noun
Expressions
historic moment
1/hɪstˈɔɹɪk mˈoʊmənt/
fixed phrase
Very important event time
A time when something very important happens that people will remember.
Examples
- It was a historic moment when the two leaders shook hands.
- Winning the championship was a historic moment for the small town.
go down in history
1/ɡˈoʊ dˈaʊn ˈɪn hˈɪstɚi/
idiom
Be remembered in history
To be remembered as an important person or event in the past.
Examples
- The day will go down in history as one of the greatest victories.
- His speech will go down in history for its powerful message.
go down in history
2/ɡˈoʊ dˈaʊn ˈɪn hˈɪstɚi/
idiom
Be remembered as historically important
To be remembered as an important person or event in the future.
Examples
- This day will go down in history as a turning point.
- The speech went down in history for its powerful message.
make history
1/mˈeɪk hˈɪstɚi/
idiom
Do something memorable for history
To do something very important that people will remember in the future.
Examples
- She made history by becoming the first woman to win the award.
- The team made history with their record-breaking victory.
make history
2/mˈeɪk hˈɪstɚi/
idiom
Do something historic or unprecedented
To do something important that will be remembered in the future.
Examples
- The team made history by winning the championship for the first time.
- She made history as the first woman to lead the company.