historically
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for historically, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — With reference to history, or in terms of the historical record.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From historical + -ly or historic + -ally.
Full origin of historically →Frequently asked questions
What does “historically” mean?
The word “historically” means with reference to history, or in terms of the historical record. In plain terms, looking at things from a historical or long-term perspective.
How do you pronounce “historically”?
“Historically” is pronounced hih-STO-rihk-lee (/hɪˈstɔɹɪkli/ in IPA).
How do you use “historically” in a sentence?
Here is “historically” used in a sentence: “Historically, the region has been a crossroads of trade.”
What part of speech is “historically”?
“Historically” is an adverb.
Is “historically” a common word?
“Historically” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "historically" and "traditionally"?
"Historically" refers to what the historical record shows, meaning what actually happened over time. "Traditionally" refers to customs and practices handed down within a group, whether or not they are documented history. A claim can be true traditionally but weak historically if the custom is recent or the record says otherwise.
Is "historically speaking" different from "historically"?
They mean the same thing; "historically speaking" is simply a slightly more conversational way of flagging that a statement is made with reference to history. In concise writing, plain "historically" is usually preferred because "speaking" adds no extra meaning.
Is it correct to say "historically low" or "historically high"?
Yes. In phrases like "historically low interest rates", "historically" means "in terms of the historical record", so the phrase claims the level is low by comparison with the past. It is a standard and widely used construction in news and financial writing.