What does "sic" mean?

1. (as written in the original) used in brackets after a word to show that you are quoting a mistake exactly as it was written. 2. (to order an attack) to order a dog or another animal to attack someone.

How do you use "sic"?

Always placed in brackets, usually [sic], immediately following the word or phrase it refers to. This is a transitive verb that often takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.

sic

adv. · v.

US //ˈsɪk// UK //sˈɪk// sic

1 as written in the original (adv.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal

used in brackets after a word to show that you are quoting a mistake exactly as it was written.

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.

Example

The old letter said, 'I hope you are doing good [sic],' showing the writer's original grammar.

Example

The editor inserted [sic] after the politician's misspelling of 'independent' to clarify that the error was not a typo made by the newspaper.

Usage

Always placed in brackets, usually [sic], immediately following the word or phrase it refers to.

Teacher's tip

Explain to students that this is Latin for 'thus' and is used to protect the quoter's reputation for accuracy.
- thus
2 to order an attack (v.)
C2 Proficiency Informal

to order a dog or another animal to attack someone.

to incite an animal, typically a dog, to attack or pursue a person or thing.

Example

The farmer threatened to sic his dogs on anyone who tried to cross his field.

Example

The suspect claimed the officer had no reason to sic the K-9 unit on him while he was already surrendering.

Usage

This is a transitive verb that often takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.

Teacher's tip

Note that this is often spelled 'sick' in informal American English, though 'sic' is the traditional form for this meaning.
- unleash
- set on
- restrain

Last updated June 20, 2026