# erstwhile

/ˈɝstˌwaɪɫ/ (US) · /ˈɜːstwaɪl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/erstwhile
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.