What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
epochal
Example
The invention of the internet was an epochal moment in human history. [epochal: adjective]
Example
The discovery of penicillin was an epochal breakthrough in medicine. [epochal: adjective]
historic
Example
The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a historic moment for the United States. [historic: adjective]
Example
The Colosseum in Rome is a historic landmark that attracts millions of visitors each year. [historic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Historic is more commonly used than epochal in everyday language. Historic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while epochal is less common and refers to a more specific type of event or development.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between epochal and historic?
Both epochal and historic can be used in formal and informal contexts, but historic is more commonly used in everyday language and is therefore considered less formal than epochal.
