formerly

adverb

for·​mer·​ly ˈfȯr-mər-lē How to pronounce formerly (audio)
ˈfȯr-mə-
1
: at an earlier time : previously
2
obsolete : just before

Examples of formerly in a Sentence

He was formerly a congressman. the newspaper formerly known as “The Newsprint”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In footage shared on X, formerly Twitter, by supporter Michael Solakiewicz (@michaelsolakiewicz), Trump's hair appears noticeably shorter and/or more compact than is usually the case. Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024 These ingredients are crafted by Scottish distiller Shane Fraser, who formerly was distillery manager of the Scottish distillery Wolfburn. Erik Ofgang, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 Under a partnership between the two (formerly warring, but now friendly) TV academies, the qualifications required for membership in the peer groups that exist in both organizations — Children’s Animation, Children’s Live Action, Daytime, and Documentary — will be identical. Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024 Bravo star Bethenny Frankel (formerly Real Housewives of New York), inspired by the writers' and actors' strikes, called for reality TV stars to band together to form a union. Emma Bowman, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for formerly 

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of formerly was in 1534

Dictionary Entries Near formerly

Cite this Entry

“Formerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formerly. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

formerly

adverb
for·​mer·​ly ˈfȯr-mər-lē How to pronounce formerly (audio)
: at an earlier time : previously

More from Merriam-Webster on formerly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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