Sic is a word people use in writing to show that something was copied exactly as it appeared in the original text, even if it looks wrong, strange, or unusual. It tells the reader, “This is not a mistake by the writer — it was written that way before.”
People often use sic when quoting someone, especially if the original text has a spelling error, grammar mistake, or odd word choice. It helps make clear that the quote is accurate and unchanged. You’ll often see it in news articles, books, academic writing, or online posts.
Meaning & Usage
Sic comes from Latin and means “so” or “thus.” In English writing, it is usually placed in brackets after a quoted word or phrase, like this: [sic]. It shows that the writer noticed the error but is keeping the quote exactly as it was.
Examples
For example: “She said the meeting was ‘definately [sic] canceled.’” Here, sic shows that definately was misspelled in the original quote.
Another example: “The sign said ‘No parking on sundays [sic].’” This tells the reader that the lowercase or grammar issue came from the original source.
When do people use “sic”?
People use sic when they want to quote something exactly as it was written, especially if it contains an error or unusual wording.
Is “sic” rude?
It can feel a little sharp if used too often, because it draws attention to someone’s mistake. But in many cases, it is simply a neutral way to show an exact quote.
Do you always need to use “sic”?
No. It is only needed when you want readers to know that a strange or incorrect part was in the original text.
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