heretofore

adverb

here·​to·​fore ˈhir-tə-ˌfȯr 

ˌhir-tə-ˈfȯr

: up to this time : hitherto

heretofore unimaginable possibilities

I tell you now what we have heretofore kept secret from you

—A. C. Whitehead

Synonyms

• yet
• so far

Examples of heretofore in a Sentence

Heretofore her writing has never displayed such depth of feeling.

This technology has created heretofore unimaginable possibilities.

Recent Examples on the Web

Manager Dave Roberts has heretofore been very careful with the left-hander, once pulling Kershaw out of an early-season perfect game after seven innings. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 3 July 2025

Carolyn has only had 11 seconds of her voice being heard on air heretofore. —Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025

Nevertheless, the initiative served as a clear signal to the broader market: Intercollegiate athletics may be prepared to venture into heretofore uncharted territory to maintain competitiveness in an increasingly professionalized landscape. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 9 June 2025

Many of those receiving care live in remote villages, heretofore without access to such diagnostics and treatment. —Robert C. Wolcott, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heretofore

• conquistador
• forevermore
• hereinbefore
• kinetochore
• kwashiorkor
• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor

Kids Definition

heretofore

adverb

here·​to·​fore ˈhi(ə)rt-ə-ˌfō(ə)r 

-ˌfȯ(ə)r;

ˌhirt-ə-ˈfō(ə)r,

-ˈfȯ(ə)r

: up to this time