Word Adjective
erstwhile
adj.
C1 Advanced US /ˈɝstˌwaɪɫ/ UK /ˈɜːstwaɪl/ erst·while UK spelling erstwhiles
Definition
adj.something that was true or existed in the past but is no longer the case. You use this to describe a person or thing that has changed over time.
adj.former or previous; relating to a past state or condition that has since changed. Often used to describe a person's former status or a place that has undergone significant transformation.
Examples
“The erstwhile friend is now a stranger.”
“The erstwhile leader of the party has since retired from public life and lives in a quiet village.”
“The erstwhile industrial powerhouse, once a symbol of national pride, now stands as a derelict reminder of a bygone era of economic prosperity.”
Etymology
From erst (“first, formerly”) + while.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated