What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
historian
Example
The historian wrote a book about the American Revolution. [historian: noun]
Example
She is studying to become a historian so she can teach history at the university level. [historian: noun]
archivist
Example
The archivist was responsible for organizing and preserving the museum's collection of letters and photographs. [archivist: noun]
Example
She works as an archivist at the library, helping researchers find and use historical documents. [archivist: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Historian is more commonly used than archivist in everyday language. Historians are often associated with writing and teaching history, while archivists are more closely associated with libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between historian and archivist?
Both historian and archivist are formal terms used in academic and cultural contexts. However, historian may be more commonly used in general conversation, while archivist is more specific and may be less familiar to some people.
