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erstwhile

(literary, legal, or, India) Former, previous.

ˈɜː(ɹ)st.waɪlCurrent108 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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3 definitions
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4 citations · last seen May 2026

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#1·Apr 27, 2026

(literary, legal, or, India) Former, previous.

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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(proscribed) Respected, honourable.

If you're for one of my erstwhile opponents, that's O.K. Just don't work too hard.
Heard in the wild
  • “Farewell and thank you, erstwhile Fishbourne social media strategist. You are a legend!”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “I absolutely despise Rahm and yet I'm not above enjoying him justifiably being a dick to his erstwhile allies”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “1. You're 16 - Ringo Starr 2. No More Lonely Nights - Paul McCartney 3. Got My Mind Set On You - George Harrison 4. Imagine - John Lennon All hits for erstwhile members of a certain popular beat combo. Name escapes me tho 🤔”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “"In the West, even erstwhile Ukraine skeptics such as blogger Andrew Sullivan now hail 'the Ukrainian miracle'.” andrewsullivan.substack.com/p/the-ukrain...”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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#3·Apr 27, 2026

(formal, _, or, _, literary) ; in the past.

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