Pronunciations (4)
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/ˈɜː(ɹ)st.waɪl/
Pronunciation notes
- UK
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/ˈɝst.waɪl/
Pronunciation notes
- US
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ˈɜː(ɹ)st.waɪl
Pronunciation notes
- GB
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ˈɚst.waɪl
Pronunciation notes
- US
Adverb
Formerly; in the past.
Usage- Formal
- Literary
- not-comparable
- Synonyms
Adjective
Former, previous.
Usage- India
- Literary
- not-comparable
- Examples
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“Scarcely had Alice reached her twentieth birthday, than she gave her erstwhile fiancée^([sic]) his formal congé.[…]”
As an aftermath of the erstwhile competition between companies, 41 goods depots served the Liverpool and Birkenhead docks in 1923.
More examples (1)
Other erstwhile stalwarts are also wavering. Southampton had two of the best full-backs in the league last season but Ryan Bertrand has been below par this season and Cédric Soares made an uncharacteristic lapse that led to Stoke’s winning goal in Southampton’s last outing.
Respected, honourable.
Usage- not-comparable
- proscribed
- Examples
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If you're for one of my erstwhile opponents, that's O.K. Just don't work too hard.
Adjective
belonging to some prior time
- Examples
-
erstwhile friend
our former glory
More examples (2)
the once capital of the state
her quondam lover
Adverb
at a previous time
- Synonyms
- Examples
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at one time he loved her
her erstwhile writing
More examples (1)
she was a dancer once