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.
Jacobs works with a coach—formerly a professional athlete—who has shaped his thinking on leadership and life. Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 Adoptive parents owe $30M, NH judge says In New Hampshire, Olivia Griffin, formerly Olivia Atkocaitis, was awarded over $29.5 million in damages after a judge ruled in her favor against her adoptive parents, Thomas and Denise Atkocaitis. Miami Herald, 14 July 2025 What To Know According to photos shared by a Japanese aircraft spotter on X (formerly Twitter) and a report by Japanese media, a group of four U.S. Air Force fighter jets comprising a pair of F-15EX jets, an F-15E jet and an F-16C jet—arrived at Kadena Air Base on Saturday. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025 Paul Krugman writes for Substack, formerly with The New York Times. Steve Inskeep, NPR, 14 July 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

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Cite this Entry

“Formerly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formerly. Accessed 19 Jul. 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
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