Word
historian
Phoneticshis·to·ri·an, stress on the second syllable
US/hɪˈstɔɹiən/
UK/hɪstˈɔːɹiən/
Definitions
01scholar of the past
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person who studies or writes about history, often working at a university or museum.
n. an expert who researches and interprets historical events, typically through the examination of archival records and physical evidence.
“The historian spent months in the library looking at old letters from the war.”
“The historian argued that the economic shifts of the nineteenth century were more influential than the political revolutions of the same period.”
Synonyms
02medical history reporter
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a person who explains their past health problems and medical background to a doctor.
n. an individual who provides a detailed account of their own medical background or family health history during a clinical assessment.
“The doctor noted that the patient was a good historian who remembered every detail of his surgery.”
“The physician found the patient to be a poor historian, as she struggled to provide a coherent timeline of her symptoms or previous medications.”
Usage
Usually used in a clinical context to describe how well a patient can recall their symptoms.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “historian” in context.
Verb
01. consult a historian
“The film director decided to consult a historian to ensure the costumes were accurate.”
verb + noun
02. historian argues that-clause
“The historian argues that the economic crisis was inevitable.”
noun + that-clause
Adjective
03. amateur historian
“As an amateur historian, he spends his weekends researching local archives.”
adj + noun
04. contemporary historian
“Contemporary historians often disagree on the primary causes of the conflict.”
adj + noun
05. eminent historian
“The eminent historian was invited to give a keynote lecture at the university.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. art historian
“She works as an art historian at the national gallery, specializing in the Renaissance.”
noun + noun
07. generation of historians
“A new generation of historians is re-examining the impact of the industrial revolution.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“Letters uncovered at the Center for Brooklyn History by one of the authors of this article, historian Claire Bellerjeau , brought to light this lost story.” “I’m a historian of wildlife , the environment and American culture who has studied the cultural and environmental history of the American alligator.” “Historians continue to debate exactly how the Lakota Sioux and the Northern Cheyenne secured their victory over the U.S.” “But Hassoum Ceesay, the historian, says the performances of the Kanyeleng tell only part of their story.” Etymology
From Middle English historian, historien, from Old French historien, from Latin historia (“story, history”), equivalent to history + -ian. More at history.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/historian