historic
One for books
Historic refers to something that is or was significant in history, either generally or in a particular area of history: Downtown Chicago has many historic skyscrapers.
Journalists and sportswriters use historic metaphorically, to stress the significance of something happening today: Fans at this NASCAR race hope to witness an historic moment.
Speakers use both ‘a’ and ‘an’ before historic because it is often pronounced without the ‘h’ sound, as if it started with a vowel.
Vitally important, deciding
- seminalFoundational and influential
- transformativeCausing major change
- groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
- revolutionarySeeking fundamental systemic change
epochal · consequential · defining · milestone · watershed · landmark · significant · monumental
Quality from past eras
- retroEvoking recent past
- bygoneOf earlier times
- yesteryearTime not long past
- memoriesStored past experiences
sepia · old-fashioned · antique · reminiscence · remembrance · heirloom · memorabilia · keepsake
Widely known, much recognized
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- iconicWidely recognized, enduring
- celebratedWidely known and praised
- notableWorthy of attention
distinguished · illustrious · famed · storied · acclaimed · eminent · revered · commemorated
Structure honoring someone remembered
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- architectureBuilding design discipline
- memorialThing preserving remembrance
- castleFortified medieval residence
cathedral · fortress · palace · ruins · edifice · museum · UNESCO · plaque
Study of physical remnants
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
- ruinsDecayed structural remains
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
- pyramidsApex-topped geometric solids
Stonehenge · hieroglyphics · Neolithic · Paleolithic · Mesopotamia · pharaohs · dynasties · fossils
Preventing waste or loss
- restorationReturning something to condition
- renovationRestoring to good condition
- protectionGuarding against harm
- stewardshipResponsible care of entrusted things
curator · heritage · registry · archival · documentation · antiquarian · maintain · safeguard
pivotal
Vitally important, deciding
- seminalFoundational and influential
- transformativeCausing major change
- groundbreakingIntroducing radical new ideas
revolutionary · epochal · consequential · defining · milestone · watershed · landmark · significant · monumental · far-reaching
vintage
Quality from past eras
- retroEvoking recent past
- bygoneOf earlier times
- yesteryearTime not long past
memories · sepia · old-fashioned · antique · reminiscence · remembrance · heirloom · memorabilia · keepsake · scrapbook
famous
Widely known, much recognized
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- iconicWidely recognized, enduring
- celebratedWidely known and praised
notable · distinguished · illustrious · famed · storied · acclaimed · eminent · revered · commemorated · immortalized
monument
Structure honoring someone remembered
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- architectureBuilding design discipline
- memorialThing preserving remembrance
castle · cathedral · fortress · palace · ruins · edifice · museum · UNESCO · plaque · registry
archaeology
Study of physical remnants
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
- ruinsDecayed structural remains
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
pyramids · Stonehenge · hieroglyphics · Neolithic · Paleolithic · Mesopotamia · pharaohs · dynasties · fossils · excavation
conservation
Preventing waste or loss
- restorationReturning something to condition
- renovationRestoring to good condition
- protectionGuarding against harm
stewardship · curator · heritage · registry · archival · documentation · antiquarian · maintain · safeguard · rehabilitate
- Building Adjectivesangular, arched, columned, domed, vaulted
- extremesbest, worst, biggest, smallest, highest
- New EnglandMaine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut
- travel adjectivesscenic, exotic, adventurous, luxurious, remote
- vintagevintage, antique, retro, old-fashioned, nostalgic
- civilizationsancient, medieval, modern, tribal, feudal
historicinsignificant
Lacking importance or consequence
unimportant · trivial · inconsequential · unremarkable · negligible
historicfuture
Time still to come
present · contemporary · modern · current · forthcoming
- make historyAchieve lasting significance
- family historyRecord of ancestors
- made historyAchieved lasting renown
- history bookRecord of past events
- making historyAccomplishing something remembered forever
- historical romanceLove story set historically
history, historical, prehistoric, histories, historian, prehistory, historically, historicity, ahistorical