What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
historicist
Example
The Marxist historicist believes that economic factors are the driving force behind historical events. [historicist: noun]
Example
Postcolonial historicism examines the impact of colonialism on the cultural and social practices of colonized societies. [historicist: adjective]
historian
Example
The historian wrote a book about the American Revolution. [historian: noun]
Example
She is pursuing a degree in history and hopes to become a professional historian. [history: noun]
Example
Historians use primary sources such as letters and diaries to gain insight into the past. [historians: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Historian is more commonly used than historicist in everyday language. Historian is a versatile term that can be used to describe anyone who studies history, while historicist is more specialized and often used in academic or theoretical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between historicist and historian?
Both historicist and historian can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, historicist may have a more specialized or technical connotation, making it more appropriate for academic or professional settings.
