Word
sic
US/ˈsɪk/
UK/sˈɪk/
Definitions
01as written in the original
adv. used in brackets after a word to show that you are quoting a mistake exactly as it was written.
adv. inserted in brackets after a quoted word or phrase to indicate that the original source has been followed faithfully, even though it contains an error.
“The old letter said, 'I hope you are doing good [sic],' showing the writer's original grammar.”
“The editor inserted [sic] after the politician's misspelling of 'independent' to clarify that the error was not a typo made by the newspaper.”
Academic · Formal
Usage
Always placed in brackets, usually [sic], immediately following the word or phrase it refers to.
Teaching tip
Explain to students that this is Latin for 'thus' and is used to protect the quoter's reputation for accuracy.
Synonyms
02to order an attack
v. to order a dog or another animal to attack someone.
v. to incite an animal, typically a dog, to attack or pursue a person or thing.
“The farmer threatened to sic his dogs on anyone who tried to cross his field.”
“The suspect claimed the officer had no reason to sic the K-9 unit on him while he was already surrendering.”
Informal
Usage
This is a transitive verb that often takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
Teaching tip
Note that this is often spelled 'sick' in informal American English, though 'sic' is the traditional form for this meaning.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“When pressed further, he said: “I may have seen her in apartment [sic] and prompted that email.” Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/sic