# historic

/hɪˈstɔɹɪk/ (US) · /hɪstˈɒɹɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/historic
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. important in history

adjective · CEFR B1

very important or famous in history.

For teachers: having great importance or lasting significance in the course of history.

- The two countries signed a historic peace treaty to end the long war.
- The moon landing was a historic achievement that fundamentally altered humanity's perspective on its place in the universe.

Usage: Often used with 'an' or 'a'; while 'a historic' is more common in modern English, 'an historic' is still found in formal writing.

Teaching tip: Learners frequently confuse this with 'historical'. Remind them that 'historic' means 'famous/important' while 'historical' means 'related to the past'.

### 2. grammar

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

used to describe verb tenses that talk about the past.

For teachers: relating to a tense or mood used to describe past events, such as the historic present.

- The writer uses the historic present to make the old story feel more exciting.
- The author's use of the historic present creates a sense of immediacy, drawing the reader directly into the heat of the battle.

Usage: Usually appears in the phrase 'historic present'.

## Examples

- The two countries signed a historic peace treaty today.
- The moon landing was a historic moment that changed how we see our place in the universe.
- The historic decision to reform the constitution followed years of civil unrest and marked the beginning of a new era for the nation's democratic institutions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.