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⏳ Former 🕰️ In the past
erstwhile

erstwhile

1 8.1
At an earlier time but not now
  • adverb
  • /ˈɜrstˌwaɪl/
  • Formal
translation icon : anteriormente
  • Unweave a rainbow, as it erstwhile made.

Examples

  • We'll see about that!" And she vigorously set herself to harvesting the apples that were erstwhile dubious but had now become clearly her own by right of self-defense—to say nothing of revenge.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • He was an erstwhile champion, but now he mostly coaches younger players.

  • During the interview, she mentioned her erstwhile experience in the industry as a valuable asset.

  • My erstwhile friend moved away last year, and I haven't heard from him since.

Synonyms

once
vserstwhile
∞ 1.0

At some time in the past when something was true but not now

is used for past situations more generally rather than only single occasions
previously
vserstwhile
625 1.1

At an earlier time than now or the time mentioned

is used for general past reference rather than showing sequence
formerly
vserstwhile
161 1.9

At an earlier time

is the same idea but presented with a different single-word choice
at one time
vserstwhile
112 2.8

In the past

is used for general past reference rather than a single past point
ere
vserstwhile
  • Archaic
5 9.9

Before a particular time or event, used especially in older writing

is broader and refers to past time in general rather than a specific event
sometime
vserstwhile
  • Formal
3 5.5

Having had a job or role in the past, not now

is used generally for past reference rather than specifically for past roles
afore
vserstwhile
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Before now or at an earlier time

is used for past reference but not tied to a particular moment
erewhile
vserstwhile
  • Archaic
1 9.9

At an earlier time, sometimes not long ago

is similar but does not emphasize recent past or marked archaism

Antonyms

presently
87 2.6

At this time

now
4 1.0

The present moment when something is happening

How Recent

recently
∞ 1.0
erstwhile
  • Formal
1 8.1
once
∞ 1.0
long ago
521 1.0

Surface Forms

erstwhile positive

Morphology

erstwhile = erst + while (semi-transparent) = erst + while

The adverbial sense arises from the same 'erst' + 'while' compound; 'while' signals time but 'erst' is uncommon, making it only partly transparent.

Etymology

Erstwhile comes from erst 'before' plus while 'time', so it originally meant 'at a time before'. That's why, when used as an adverb, erstwhile means 'in the past' or 'formerly'.