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Glite Dictionary
🕰️ In the past ⏳ Former
erewhile

erewhile

9.9
A person, thing, or role from an earlier time
  • adjective
  • /ˈɛrˌwaɪl/
  • Archaic
: antiguo
  • The erewhile king was remembered for his just rule.

Examples

  • She visited her erewhile home, filled with memories of her childhood.

  • The erewhile champion lost his title last year.

  • I am as fair now as I was erewhile.

    Return with Honor (1999)

  • I am as fair now as I was erewhile.

    Return with Honor (1999)

Synonyms

former
vserewhile
∞ 1.0

Existing earlier or having held a role before

is used in archaic language rather than neutral modern usage
erstwhile
vserewhile
  • Formal
10 8.4

From an earlier time and not happening now

is archaic and used in older style rather than literary modern usage
quondam
vserewhile
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Once in a role or position but not now

is archaic and refers more generally to past existence rather than role focus
whilom
vserewhile
  • Archaic
1 9.9

From earlier times and no longer used to talk about people or things

is identical in meaning and also archaic in tone

Antonyms

current
∞ 1.0

Happening now at this time

present
553 1.0

Happening or existing now

Surface Forms

erewhile positive

Morphology

erewhile = ere + while (semi-transparent) = ere + while

The components 'ere' (before) and 'while' (time) transparently compose the meaning 'former', but 'ere' is archaic and unfamiliar to many learners, reducing full transparency.

Etymology

Erewhile comes from the old parts ere ('before') and while ('time' or 'a short period'), so it meant 'before a time'. As an adjective, erewhile describes someone or something that was 'before' — a former or previous one.