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  1. Dictionary

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    erst·while
    [ˈərstˌ(h)wīl]
    adjective
    erstwhile (adjective)
    1. former:
      "his erstwhile rivals"
    adverb
    archaic
    erstwhile (adverb)
    1. formerly:
      "Mary Anderson, erstwhile the queen of America's stage"
    Translate erstwhile to
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    Similar and Opposite Words
    adjective
    1. former:
      former
      old
      past
      one-time
      sometime
      as was
      ex-
      late
      then
      previous
      prior
      foregoing
      quondam
      whilom
      Opposite:
      present
      future
    adverb
    1. formerly:
      formerly
      previously
      at one time
      once upon a time
      one time
      long ago
      sometime
      erst
      whilom
      of yore
      in the past
      at one point
      on a former occasion
      on one occasion
      in one case
      time was when
      in days/times gone by
      back in the day
      in times past
      in the (good) old days
      in days/times of yore
      Opposite:
      now
     
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  1. People also ask
    Where does the word erstwhile come from?
    It comes from the Old English words aer, meaning "early," and hwil, which has the same meaning as the modern word while. (The English word ere, meaning "before," is also a descendant of aer.) These days erstwhile is more likely to be encountered as an adjective, as in "erstwhile enemies."

    Erstwhile Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    merriam-webster.com
    What does erstwhile mean in a sentence?
    That means that they had been your friends, but you lost touch with them, so that they weren't friends of yours anymore. Erstwhile can also be used as an adverb, meaning “formerly or once” — “Erstwhile, I was a member of the high school debate team.”

    Erstwhile - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

    vocabulary.com
    Where does the adverb erstwhile come from?
    The adverb erstwhile has been part of English since at least the 16th century, but it is formed from two words that are much older. It comes from the Old English words aer, meaning "early," and hwil, which has the same meaning as the modern word while. (The English word ere, meaning "before," is also a descendant of aer.)

    Erstwhile Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    merriam-webster.com
    Should I use 'erstwhile' or 'whilom'?
    Usage guides will sometimes list 'erstwhile' together with 'whilom' and 'quondam', informing readers that, while all three of these words are really kind of pretentious, you’re probably best going with 'erstwhile'.

    How to Use 'Erstwhile' in a Sentence - Merriam-Webster

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  2. At a previous time

    Definitions of erstwhile from WordNet. 1. erstwhile ( adv.) at a previous time; her erstwhile writing. Synonyms: once / formerly / at one time / erst. 2. erstwhile ( adj.) belonging to some prior time;

    erstwhile | Etymology, origin and meanin…

    www.etymonline.com/word/erstwhile

    The adverb erstwhile has been part of English since the 16th century, but it is formed from two words that are much older. It comes from the Old English words ær, meaning "early," and hwīl, which has much the same meaning as the modern word while.

    Erstwhile Definition & Meaning - Merria…

    www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erstwhile
     
  3. Dictionary
    https://www.dictionary.com/browse/erstwhile

    ERSTWHILE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

     
  4. Merriam Webster
    https://www.merriam-webster.com/wor…

    How to Use 'Erstwhile' in a Sentence - Merriam-Webster

    Erstwhile can mean either 'former' or 'formerly', depending on the context. Learn how to use it correctly, its origin, and some synonyms and alternatives.

  5. Vocabulary.com
    https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/ers…

    Erstwhile - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

    Erstwhile means "former." Erstwhile comes from Old English and is a formal way to say "former." You can go to your class reunion 20 years after you graduate high school and see your erstwhile friends.

  6. Collins Dictionary
    https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/erstwhile

    ERSTWHILE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

  7. Collins Dictionary
    https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english-word/erstwhile

    ERSTWHILE - All you need to know about it | Collins English …

  8. Wiktionary
    https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/erstwhile

    erstwhile - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

  9. Oxford Learner's Dictionaries
    https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/...

    erstwhile adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

  10. Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online
    https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/erstwhile

    erstwhile | meaning of erstwhile in Longman Dictionary of …

  11. The Free Dictionary
    https://www.thefreedictionary.com/erstwhile

    Erstwhile - definition of erstwhile by The Free Dictionary

  12. Your Dictionary
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    Erstwhile Definition & Meaning - YourDictionary

  13. Ludwig
    https://ludwig.guru/s/erstwhile

    erstwhile | English Definition & Examples | Ludwig

  14. Collins Dictionary
    https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-word/erstwhile

    ERSTWHILE - Find out everything about this English word | Collins

  15. Merriam Webster
    https://www.merriam-webster.com/sentences/erstwhile

    Examples of 'Erstwhile' in a Sentence - Merriam-Webster

  16. Thesaurus
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    11 Synonyms & Antonyms for ERSTWHILE | Thesaurus.com

  17. Collins Dictionary
    https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/erstwhile

    ERSTWHILE definition in American English - Collins Online …

  18. Britannica
    https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/erstwhile

    Erstwhile Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

  19. Merriam Webster
    https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/erstwhile

    ERSTWHILE Synonyms: 35 Similar and Opposite Words

  20. OneLook Dictionary Search
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    erstwhile meaning: Formerly, but not any longer - OneLook

  21. Merriam Webster
    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erst

    Erst Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

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