Erstwhile
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈɜː(ɹ)st.waɪl/ · Part of speech adverb
Quick meaning: Erstwhile is an adverb meaning (formal or literary) Formerly; in the past.
Meaning
(formal or literary) Formerly; in the past.
More Meanings
- (literary, law or India) Former, previous.
- (proscribed) Respected, honourable.
Example Sentences
If you're for one of my erstwhile opponents, that's O.K. Just don't work too hard.
“Scarcely had Alice reached her twentieth birthday, than she gave her erstwhile fiancée^([sic]) his formal congé.[…]”
As an aftermath of the erstwhile competition between companies, 41 goods depots served the Liverpool and Birkenhead docks in 1923.
Other erstwhile stalwarts are also wavering. Southampton had two of the best full-backs in the league last season but Ryan Bertrand has been below par this season and Cédric Soares made an uncharacteristic lapse that led to Stoke’s winning goal in Southampton’s last outing.
Synonyms for erstwhile
Depending on context, synonyms include erewhile, once, previous, quondam, onetime, antecedent.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include quondam, past, sometime, onetime, once, formerly.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.