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statistical

Etymology and origin of the English word statistical

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1787

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /stəˈtɪs.tɪ.kəl/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from statistic or statistics and -al.[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of or pertaining to statistics: 1787 in the OED and Etymonline, 1784 in MWU.[5][2][3] A rare political sense is recorded in 1600 and is obsolete.[5][4]

Semantic evolution

Of a writer, dealing with statistics, it is also from 1787.[5] Of a science or physical process, not absolutely precise but true for large numbers, it is from 1885,[5] and statistical significance from 1938.[5]

Timeline

  • 1600 – political (obsolete).[5]
  • 1784 – first use in MWU.[3]
  • 1787 – of statistics.[5]
  • 1885 – of a science.[5]
  • 1938 – statistical significance.[5]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Of, relating to or using statistics.

Word family

  • statistically
  • nonstatistical
  • prestatistical
  • unstatistical
  • statistical mechanics

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Statistical.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/statistical. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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