heretofore

[ heer-tuh-fawr, -fohr ]

adverb

1. before this time; until now.

heretofore

/ ˌhɪətʊˈfɔː /

adverb

1. formal.
   until now; before this time

adjective

1. obsolete.
   previous; former

noun

1. the heretofore archaic.
   the past

Word History and Origins

Origin of heretofore¹

1300–50; Middle English heretoforn, equivalent to here here + toforn, Old English tōforan ( tō to + foran before; fore ¹ )

Example Sentences

That seems to have galvanized others who had heretofore been reluctant to publicly pressure someone they respect to make what even critics would concede is a difficult decision.

From Salon

Perhaps, Trump will be under house arrest in the White House, something heretofore unimaginable.

From Salon

Visible homelessness, drug abuse and untreated mental illness create a sense of anarchy that frightens our citizens and erodes public support that heretofore has been strong in Seattle and Washington state.

From Seattle Times

“We want to take the heretofore somewhat passive experience of going into a theater, and we want to expand that and give people a chance to do other things and have fun,” Brein said.

From Seattle Times

People laugh as a psychological defense mechanism when confronted by a reality that they cannot reconcile and resolve with their expectation of what they heretofore deemed to be normal.

From Salon

Related Words

• formerly
• previously