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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.

The forgotten and forgettable “Little Ol’ Los Angeles,” in 1914, warbled, “There’s a place that ev’ry wand’rer fondly hopes and longs to see. Ere life’s fitful dream is over and he wakes in eternity.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2021

I can't imagine Turner saying to himself: "Ere, I fink I'll paint misself a John Wayne, innit?"

From The Guardian • Apr. 26, 2013

Ere long I experienced the desire to pee.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2013

"Ere, I bin tawkin to Whitney, Kylie and the youn'uns," Peggy said this month, "they weckon we need a Gwime Night."

From The Guardian • Mar. 20, 2010

Ere the half-hour ended, five o’clock struck; school was dismissed, and all were gone into the refectory to tea.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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