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Synonyms

ere

American  
[air] / ɛər /

preposition

  1. before.


ere British  
/ ɛə /

conjunction

  1. a poetic word for before

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ere

before 900; Middle English; Old English ǣr, ēr (cognate with German ehr ), comparative of ār soon, early; cognate with Gothic air. See erst, early

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Adjusted earnings per share, which excludes nonrecurring items, declined to 87 cents from $1.06, but ere above the FactSet consensus of 63 cents.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 4, 2025

A sign nearby now reads "Banksy woz ere" and offers an apology to disappointed fans of the street artist.

From BBC • Aug. 18, 2024

The head of the city's civil-military administration said local authorities had a plan to cope with an accident and noted some shells ere falling close to the plant's six reactors.

From Reuters • Aug. 22, 2022

“To love that well which thou must leave ere long,” says the Bard.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2022

Gandalf it was that last spoke to Faramir ere he rode east.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien