# historical

/hɪˈstɔɹɪkəɫ/ (US) · /hɪstˈɒɹɪkəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 2. the study of history

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

related to the study of history as a subject.

For teachers: pertaining to the academic discipline or scholarly methods of history.

- The professor shared some interesting historical documents with the class.
- The researchers conducted a thorough historical analysis of the trade routes to understand how the city grew so wealthy.

### 3. literature/film set in the past

adjective · CEFR B1

describing a book or movie that takes place in a specific time in the past.

For teachers: denoting a subgenre of fiction, such as a novel or film, that is set in a specific period of the past.

- She loves reading historical novels about life in the nineteenth century.
- The director was praised for the historical accuracy of the costumes and set design in his latest film about the French Revolution.

Usage: commonly used in the phrases 'historical fiction' or 'historical drama'.

### 4. linguistic development

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical · Academic

related to how a language has changed over a long time.

For teachers: relating to the study of the development of a language over time.

- The teacher explained the historical reasons why English spelling is so difficult.
- Historical linguistics allows us to trace the evolution of modern European languages back to a common ancestor.

Usage: often used in the term 'historical linguistics'.

## Examples

- The museum has many historical documents on display.
- The author spent years researching historical records to ensure the novel accurately reflected life in the nineteenth century.
- While the film takes some creative liberties with the timeline, it remains largely faithful to the historical reality of the diplomatic crisis.

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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.