historian
hih-STAW-reern
Historian (noun) means a person who studies, researches, or writes about history. Example: “The historian gave a talk about daily life in medieval villages.”
noun
1
A person who studies, researches, or writes about history.
"The historian gave a talk about daily life in medieval villages."
"history does not consult the convenience of historians, though some of them are not always aware of it."
— Eric Hobsbawm, The Age of Capital. 1848-1875 (1975)
"If this is what real people and societies are like, then it may be appropriate for historians to represent their subjects' lives in storylike form."
— Jonathan Gorman, Understanding history (1992)
"The historian spent years researching the causes of the war."
"A panel of historians discussed the anniversary on the radio."
How to use historian
Learner’s notes
Common pairings
professional historian
noted historian
military historian
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Word forms
- Plural
- historians
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Etymology
From Latin historia ("story, history"), via Old French historien.
Related words
Rhymes for historian
See all rhymes for historian →Frequently asked questions
What does “historian” mean?
The word “historian” means a person who studies, researches, or writes about history.
How do you pronounce “historian”?
“Historian” is pronounced hih-STAW-reern (/hɪˈstɔɹi.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “historian” in a sentence?
Here is “historian” used in a sentence: “The historian spent years researching the causes of the war.”
What part of speech is “historian”?
“Historian” is a noun.
Where does the word “historian” come from?
The word “historian” comes from Latin. From Latin historia ("story, history"), via Old French historien.
Is “historian” a common word?
“Historian” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a historian and an archaeologist?
A historian studies and writes about the past mainly through written records and documents. An archaeologist studies the past through physical remains such as artefacts, buildings, and excavated sites.
What is the difference between a historian and a history teacher?
A historian researches and writes about history, often producing original analysis. A history teacher's main role is to teach established historical knowledge to students, though one person can do both.
What is the difference between a historian and a chronicler?
A historian analyses and interprets the past, explaining causes and significance. A chronicler mainly records events in the order they happened, usually without that deeper analysis.
What are the different types of historians?
Historians often specialise in a period or subject, such as an ancient historian, art historian, military historian, or social historian. Each focuses on a particular aspect of the past.
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