Definition of ERSTWHILE (original) (raw)
: in the past : formerly
cultures, erstwhile unknown to each other—
Robert Plank
Did you know?
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.) These days erstwhile is more likely to be encountered as an adjective, as in "erstwhile enemies." That adjective use is a much more recent development, having joined the language about three centuries after the adverb.
Synonyms
Examples of erstwhile in a Sentence
Adverb
there's now a store where erstwhile lay green and pleasant pastures Adjective
my erstwhile friend ignored me when I ran into her at the reunion
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Candidates for the fifth spot include former postseason hero Ian Anderson, erstwhile All-Star Bryce Elder, and rookies AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep. After winning a surprise world championship in 2021, the Braves had two 100-win seasons without reaching the final round again. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 In South Africa’s middle class suburban areas, including Randburg, where there’s more visible policing, lockdown measures are being tightly enforced, leaving several erstwhile busy stalls and shopping areas empty. —Quartz Africa, 4 Apr. 2020
The erstwhile sitcom king also is up for Worst Actor. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2025 The Marlins are banking on a big rebound from erstwhile ace Sandy Alcantara, who missed last year while recuperating from Tommy John surgery. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for erstwhile 
Word History
First Known Use
Adverb
1569, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
1849, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of erstwhile was in 1569
Dictionary Entries Near erstwhile
Cite this Entry
“Erstwhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erstwhile. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 24 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences
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