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

Hayden Rucci, formerly of the Lions and the Dolphins, joined in January, so this will be his first 49ers’ training camp. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 19 July 2026

Bailey is the co-chair of the Power Line Contact Litigation Group with the American Association of Justice, formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. — Eric Adler july 18, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026

While the area was formerly covered by prehistoric lakes, today the water here mainly exists as seasonal wetlands, gurgling geysers, hot springs, and a hypersaline lake that’s saltier than the ocean. — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026

While Honeywell was formerly based in Charlotte, Honeywell Technologies is the only company still headquartered in the city. — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 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