# sic

/ˈsɪk/ (US) · /sˈɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sic
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. as written in the original

adverb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

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.

### 2. to order an attack

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal

to order a dog or another animal to attack someone.

For teachers: 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.

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.

## Examples

- The farmer threatened to sic his dog on the trespassers.
- If you don't leave my property immediately, I will have to sic the guard dogs on you.
- The coach would often sic his most aggressive defender on the opposing team's star player to disrupt their offensive rhythm.

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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.