| English Dictionary |
ERSTWHILE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does erstwhile mean?
• ERSTWHILE (adjective)
The adjective ERSTWHILE has 1 sense:
1. belonging to some prior time
Familiarity information: ERSTWHILE used as an adjective is very rare.
• ERSTWHILE (adverb)
The adverb ERSTWHILE has 1 sense:
1. at a previous time
Familiarity information: ERSTWHILE used as an adverb is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Belonging to some prior time
Synonyms:
erstwhile; former; old; one-time; onetime; quondam; sometime
Context example:
her quondam lover
Similar:
past (earlier than the present time; no longer current)
Sense 1
Meaning:
At a previous time
Synonyms:
at one time; erst; erstwhile; formerly; once
Context example:
she was a dancer once
Context examples
Not so was the conduct of George Leach, the erstwhile cabin-boy.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
He was beset on either side by the merciless fangs of his erstwhile comrades.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
In the meantime the erstwhile cabin-boy had not moved.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
Also, there were comings and goings, and the erstwhile placid atmosphere of the cabin was vexed with strange perturbations and unrest.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
This he took in good part, and was really pleased, nodding his head with direful foreknowledge and mystery, until George Leach, the erstwhile cabin-boy, ventured some rough pleasantry on the subject.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Words coming from far away are always half true, half false." (Bhutanese proverb)
"The idea came after the drunkness passed away." (Arabic proverb)
"From children and drunks will you hear the truth." (Danish proverb)