erewhile

adverb

ere·​while er-ˈ(h)wī(-ə)l How to pronounce erewhile (audio)
variants or less commonly erewhiles
er-ˈ(h)wī(-ə)lz How to pronounce erewhile (audio)
archaic
: a while before : formerly

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of erewhile was in the 13th century

Rhymes for erewhile

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Browse Nearby Words

Erevan
erewhile
Erewhonian
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Cite this Entry

“Erewhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erewhile. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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