erewhile

adverb

ere·while er-ˈ(h)wī(-ə)l

variants or less commonly erewhiles

er-ˈ(h)wī(-ə)lz

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

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Browse Nearby Words

Erevan

erewhile

Erewhonian

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Erewhile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erewhile. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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