Erstwhile: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Erstwhile adjective. Former; having once been something but no longer.
How to say it
URST-wyle/ˈəːstwʌɪl/
2 syllables, stressed on the first (URST).
Erstwhile in a sentence
Her erstwhile flatmate is now her boss.
The erstwhile cinema on the high street sells carpets now.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- former
- onetime
- previous
- sometime
Opposite:
- current
- present
Where erstwhile comes from
From the old word erst, earlier, and while.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The _____ cinema on the high street sells carpets now.
- hebdomadal
- erstwhile
- continuous
Show the answer
erstwhile: The erstwhile cinema on the high street sells carpets now.