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.
Big tech platforms like Meta (formerly Facebook) and X (formerly Twitter), for example, have commodified our attention, polarized our politics, and undermined our collective understanding of the truth. Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2025 The singer, who supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in the recent election cycle, took to X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday to share her thoughts on the new government, which has been in place since Trump's January 20 swearing in ceremony. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025 He's accused of firing a gun twice in the direction of Terell Ephron, an ex-friend who was formerly known as A$AP Relli, after an argument in Hollywood, California, in November 2021. Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025 The monument, a full-size formerly operable helicopter, is called the Cmdr. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025 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 3 Feb. 2025.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!