formerly

formerly — adverb

1. at a time before the present, used especially to describe a person, place, or th

1.adverbB2
Definition

at a time before the present, used especially to describe a person, place, or thing that has since changed its identity, role, or state.

Example

The building was formerly a factory before it was turned into apartments.

passive: formerly + past participle (was formerly + noun)

Eli formerly worked as a chef before he started his own catering company.

formerly + simple past verb (formerly worked)

Common collocations
  • formerly known as
  • formerly called
  • formerly named
  • formerly worked
  • formerly lived
  • formerly held
  • formerly served
  • formerly of
  • formerly a [noun]
  • be formerly [adjective/noun]
Synonyms
  • previously

    more common and less formal; can refer to any earlier event, not only a change of state

  • once

    more narrative and less formal; often used in storytelling ('once a teacher, always a teacher')

  • earlier

    refers to a point in time before now; does not necessarily imply a permanent change

  • erstwhile

    much more formal and literary; used attributively ('erstwhile allies')

Antonyms
  • currently

    at the present time; contrasts directly with 'formerly'

  • now

    less formal; the opposite of 'formerly' in temporal meaning

Grammar Patterns

formerly + past participle (was formerly known / were formerly called)

formerly + simple past verb (formerly lived / formerly worked)

formerly of [place, institution, or group]

Usage Note

Unlike 'previously', which can refer to any earlier point in time (e.g. 'I previously mentioned this'), 'formerly' usually signals that the subject has permanently changed its identity, role, or state. It is common with the verb 'to be' (be + formerly + noun/adjective). Can be placed before a past participle ('formerly known as'), before the main verb ('formerly worked'), or before a noun phrase ('the formerly quiet village').

Common Mistakes

I formerly went to the supermarket.
I went to the supermarket earlier.
'formerly' implies a significant change of state, not just an earlier time in a routine.
He formerly ate lunch at noon.
He used to eat lunch at noon.
For past habits without a change of identity, 'used to' is more natural than 'formerly'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words refer to a time before now, but they have different tones and uses. 'formerly' is the most formal and strongly implies a permanent change of state or identity — use it when describing what a person, place, or thing used to be ('the formerly empty lot is now a park'). 'previously' covers any earlier event in a sequence, without implying change ('I previously mentioned this rule'). 'once' is more narrative and often carries a wistful tone ('This was once a thriving community'). 'earlier' is neutral and refers to a specific point before now, typically within the same day or context ('I saw her earlier'). In learner writing, choose 'formerly' for permanent-identity shifts, 'previously' for chronological order, and 'earlier' for same-day or immediate-past references.

formerly ↗previously ↗once ↗earlier ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • formerly known as
  • formerly called
  • formerly of + [institution/place]
  • be formerly + [noun]
  • the formerly + [adjective] + [noun]

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The adverb 'formerly' was formed in late Middle English by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to 'former', which means 'earlier in time'. 'Former' itself comes from the comparative form of 'fore' (from Old English 'forma', meaning 'first'), tracing back through Proto-Germanic *frumô to the Proto-Indo-European root *per-, meaning 'forward' or 'through'. The word has carried the sense of 'at an earlier time' since the 1500s.