History — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈhi-st(ə-)rē/ his·to·ry

Meaning & Definition of History

History (noun)

  1. tale, story
  2. a chronological record of significant events (such as those affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes
  3. a treatise presenting systematically related natural phenomena (as of geography, animals, or plants)

History (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an account of important events in the order in which they happened

    "a history of the American civil rights movement during the 1960s"

    similar: annals, chronicle, record
    related: blog, commentary, diary, journal, memoir, reminiscence(s), autobiography, biography, life, epic, legend, narrative, saga, story, tale, archives, documentation, log, register, report, chronology, genealogy

  2. a relating of events usually in the order in which they happened

    "we heard the whole history of her illness in excruciating detail"

    similar: account, chronicle, chronology, commentary, narration, narrative, record, report, story
    related: version, deposition, documentation, testament, testimonial, testimony, witness, annals, blog, diary, journal, log, logbook, memoir, minutes, procès-verbal, anecdote, tale, yarn, epic, saga, gest, romance, recital, recitation, case history, case study

  3. the events or experience of former times

    "history has many lessons to teach us, if only we would listen"

    similar: auld lang syne, past, yesterday, yesteryear, yore
    related: bygone, flashback, annals, chronicle, record, memoir, antiquity, long ago
    near: by-and-by, future, futurity, hereafter, offing, tomorrow, moment, now, present, today

Related Entry: Ancient history (noun)

Ancient history is a different word from History. The synonyms below are for ancient history, not for history.

  1. as in open secret

    similar: open secret
    opposite: 411 (slang), book, dope, inside, lowdown, poop (slang), scoop, skinny (slang), tip, dirt, dish, gossip, rumor, story, hint, pointer

Related Entry: Case history (noun)

Case history is a different word from History. The synonyms below are for case history, not for history.

  1. as in case study

    similar: case study, account, chronicle, chronology, commentary, history, narration, narrative, record, report, story, version, deposition, documentation, testament, testimonial, testimony, witness, annals, blog, diary, journal, log, logbook, memoir, minutes, procès-verbal, anecdote, tale, yarn, epic, saga, gest, romance

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for History

The most common words with a similar meaning to History:

annals, chronicle, record, account, chronology, commentary, narration, narrative, report, story, auld lang syne, past, yesterday, yesteryear, yore

Related Words for History

blog, diary, journal, memoir, reminiscence(s), autobiography, biography, life, epic, legend, saga, tale, archives, documentation, log, register, genealogy, version, deposition, testament, testimonial, testimony, witness, logbook, minutes, procès-verbal, anecdote, yarn, gest, romance

Near Antonyms of History

by-and-by, future, futurity, hereafter, offing, tomorrow, moment, now, present, today

Word Forms of History

Inflections: histories

Origin & Etymology of History

Middle English histoire, historie, from Anglo-French estoire, histoire, from Latin historia, from Greek, inquiry, history, from histōr, istōr knowing, learned; akin to Greek eidenai to know wit

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for History

Words & Phrases Containing History

history is on someone's side, history repeats itself, history shows/has shown, ancient history, case history, life history, natural history, oral history, (can) trace one's history (back) to

Frequently Asked Questions about History

What does "History" mean?

"History" means tale, story. As a noun, it is defined as: tale, story. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "History"?

Other words for "History" include annals, chronicle, record, account, chronology, commentary, narration and narrative. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "History" you intend.

What are different ways to say "History"?

There are 53 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "History". Common alternatives include annals, chronicle, record, account, chronology, commentary, narration, narrative, report and story.

How do you use "History" in a sentence?

Examples of "History" in a sentence: "a history of the American civil rights movement during the 1960s"; "we heard the whole history of her illness in excruciating detail"; "history has many lessons to teach us, if only we would listen".

Is "History" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"History" is a noun.

Is "History" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "History" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "History"?

"History" is pronounced /ˈhi-st(ə-)rē/ and divided into syllables as his·to·ry.

What is the origin of the word "History"?

"History" comes from Middle English histoire, historie, from Anglo-French estoire, histoire, from Latin historia, from Greek, inquiry, history, from histōr, istōr knowing, learned; akin to Greek eidenai to know wit. First known use: before 12th century.