formerly
at a previous time
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,661 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 6,269 times across 155,370 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
adverb
- at a previous time also: once, at one time, erstwhile, erst at one time he loved herher erstwhile writing
formerly in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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He was now as bitter of speech as he had formerly been conciliatory.
The Shadow of a Crime: A Cumbrian Romance · Hall, Sir Caine · Chapter 1
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Besides, Aunt Margaret's affairs were queerly indefinite; there seemed very little money where there had formerly been plenty.
Back to Billabong · Mary Grant Bruce · Chapter 1
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The ring formerly belonged to King Solomon, the wisest of kings, during whose reign the wisest men lived.
The Yellow Fairy Book: The Grateful Beasts · World Traditions (Celtic, Norse, Asian & Persian) · Chapter 1
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Sir Walter Scott said this was formerly a ship laden with precious metals, but a horrible murder was committed on board.
From John O'Groats to Land's End · John Anderton Naylor · Chapter 2
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For this son, in anticipation of growing expenses, she stooped to expedients which formerly would have seemed to her unworthy and disgraceful.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1