formerly
Americanadverb
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in time past; in an earlier period or age; previously.
a custom formerly observed.
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Obsolete. in time just past; just now.
adverb
-
at or in a former time; in the past
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obsolete in the immediate past; just now
Etymology
Origin of formerly
Compare meaning
How does formerly compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Use the adverb formerly to describe something that happened earlier. A history teacher might explain that the city of Istanbul was formerly known as Constantinople. Something that existed previously, or that has changed in some way over time, can be talked about using the word formerly. Your graceful math teacher might have formerly been a professional dancer, and the building where you take fencing lessons could have formerly been a textile mill. If something happened once upon a time, it happened formerly. The origin of the word traces all the way back to the Proto-Germanic formo, or "first."
Vocabulary lists containing formerly
Commonly Confused Words, List 1
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Commonly Confused Words, List 3
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Commonly Confused Words, List 7
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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.
“Valuation is now capturing formerly high-multiple growth stocks at more attractive multiples by design, not just ‘old economy’ companies,” Subramanian said.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026
HTS was earlier known as al-Nusra Front and was formerly the branch of Al-Qaeda in Syria.
From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026
The network, formerly known as MSNBC, has never been available without a pay-TV subscription.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
The TV production company Charlie Parsons Creative contributed £50,000 and the think tank ThinkLabour, formerly known as Labour Together, provided £22,186.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
A cell phone formerly in Ms. Lamar's possession was located at a campground in Monroe, Louisiana, shortly before authorities received an anonymous tip from two gas station employees in Shreveport.
From "Clean Getaway" by Nic Stone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
