Erstwhile — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb adjective /ˈərst-ˌ(h)wī(-ə)l/ erst·while

Meaning & Definition of Erstwhile

Erstwhile (adverb)

  1. in the past, formerly

Erstwhile (adjective)

  1. former, previous

Erstwhile (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having been such at some previous time

    "my erstwhile friend ignored me when I ran into her at the reunion"

    similar: former, late, old, once, onetime, other, past, quondam, sometime, whilom
    related: bygone, dead, defunct, departed, expired, extinct, gone, long-ago, vanished
    near: contemporary, current, extant, ongoing, present, present-day, coming, future, prospective, unborn

Erstwhile (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. at an earlier or previous time

    "there's now a store where erstwhile lay green and pleasant pastures"

    similar: formerly, once, onetime
    near: lately, recently, currently, now, presently

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Erstwhile

The most common words with a similar meaning to Erstwhile:

former, late, old, once, onetime, other, past, quondam, sometime, whilom, formerly

Related Words for Erstwhile

bygone, dead, defunct, departed, expired, extinct, gone, long-ago, vanished

Near Antonyms of Erstwhile

contemporary, current, extant, ongoing, present, present-day, coming, future, prospective, unborn, lately, recently, currently, now, presently

Origin & Etymology of Erstwhile

erst + while "at one time, formerly," going back to Middle English, going back to Old English hwīle, accusative of hwīl while:1

First known use: 1569

Frequently Asked Questions about Erstwhile

What does "Erstwhile" mean?

"Erstwhile" means in the past, formerly. As an an adverb and an adjective, it is defined as: in the past, formerly. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Erstwhile"?

Other words for "Erstwhile" include former, late, old, once, onetime, other, past and quondam. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Erstwhile" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Erstwhile"?

There are 20 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Erstwhile". Common alternatives include former, late, old, once, onetime, other, past, quondam, sometime and whilom.

How do you use "Erstwhile" in a sentence?

Examples of "Erstwhile" in a sentence: "my erstwhile friend ignored me when I ran into her at the reunion"; "there's now a store where erstwhile lay green and pleasant pastures".

Is "Erstwhile" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Erstwhile" can be used as an adverb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Erstwhile"?

"Erstwhile" is pronounced /ˈərst-ˌ(h)wī(-ə)l/ and divided into syllables as erst·while.

What is the origin of the word "Erstwhile"?

"Erstwhile" comes from erst + while "at one time, formerly," going back to Middle English, going back to Old English hwīle, accusative of hwīl while:1. First known use: 1569.

What is another word for "Erstwhile" meaning "having been such at some previous time"?

When "Erstwhile" (adjective) means having been such at some previous time, synonyms include former, late, old, once, onetime and other.