formerly

adverb

for·​mer·​ly ˈfȯr-mər-lē 

ˈfȯr-mə-

1

: at an earlier time : previously

Istanbul was formerly known as Constantinople.

2

obsolete : just before

Synonyms of formerly

• once

Examples of formerly in a Sentence

He was formerly a congressman.

the newspaper formerly known as “The Newsprint”

Recent Examples on the Web

Under Fox Digital Platforms, Roku will be led by CEO Mustafa Ozgen, formerly Roku’s president of devices, products and technology, according to a memo from Cheesbrough obtained by Variety. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

The new Mastro’s took over the ground-floor space formerly occupied by McCormick & Schmick’s at the corner of Marietta Street and Centennial Olympic Park Drive. — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Four years and several antisemitism incidents after his last major runway show, the artist formerly known as Kanye West is attempting to revive his fashion career with a militaristic collection and a room full of celebrity admirers. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026

Critics often cited his consultations with women and the formerly enslaved as proof. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

formerly

adverb

for·​mer·​ly ˈfȯr-mər-lē 

: at an earlier time : previously