YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

erstwhile

Adjective

IPA /ˈɜːstwaɪl/

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Meaning in plain English

Having previously held a particular role or relationship, but no longer doing so.

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Pronunciation

erstwhile/ˈɜːstwaɪl/

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Earlier: two people were colleagues
Time passes and one changes jobs
Now: one is an erstwhile colleague

Erstwhile means former: a previous role or relationship no longer applies.

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Examples in context

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Her erstwhile neighbour now lives on another continent.
The report was written by an erstwhile adviser to the organisation.

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Her ________ neighbour now lives on another continent.

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erstwhile — Having previously held a particular role or relationship, but no longer doing so.

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Having previously held a particular role or relationship, but no longer doing so.

Compare: Her erstwhile neighbour now lives on another continent.

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Word origin

Formed from erst, an older word meaning formerly or earlier, and while.

Did you know?

Erstwhile normally comes before a noun, as in an erstwhile colleague.

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