Dictionary.com

erstwhile

[ urst-hwahyl, -wahyl ]
/ ˈɜrstˌʰwaɪl, -ˌwaɪl /
Save This Word!

adjective
former; of times past: erstwhile friends.
adverb
Archaic. formerly; erst.
QUIZ
ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?
We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
Question 1 of 8
Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
Meet Grammar CoachWrite or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar helpImprove Your Writing
Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing
Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Origin of erstwhile

First recorded in 1560–70; erst + while

Words nearby erstwhile

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use erstwhile in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for erstwhile

erstwhile
/ (ˈɜːstˌwaɪl) /

adjective
former; one-timemy erstwhile companions
adverb
archaic long ago; formerly
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
FEEDBACK