whilom

[ hwahy-luhm, wahy- ]

See synonyms for whilom on Thesaurus.com

adjective

former; erstwhile: whilom friends.

adverb

at one time.

Origin of whilom

before 900; Middle English; Old English hwīlum at times, dative plural of hwīlwhile (noun)

Words Nearby whilom

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use whilom in a sentence

His whilom arrogance was all fallen from him; he wore instead an air of extreme contrition.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
He was sorry to hear that his whilom chums, the "captain" and "lieutenant," were ill.
Fifty-Two Stories For Girls | Various
Ygg whilom stuck a sleep-thorn in the robe of the maid who would heroes choose.
The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson | Saemund Sigfusson and Snorre Sturleson
He was not doubtful of me, not then, but of human nature in general; that whilom noble edifice was tottering.
The Little White Bird | J. M. Barrie
"Nay, but Master Gideon slept whilom upon his post," continued Gerald, mimicking him.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 57, No. 354, April 1845 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for whilom

whilom

/ (ˈwaɪləm) archaic /

adverb

formerly; once

adjective

(prenominal) one-time; former

Origin of whilom

Old English hwīlum, dative plural of hwīl while; related to Old High German hwīlōm, German weiland of old

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

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