formerly

[ fawr-mer-lee ]

adverb

1. in time past; in an earlier period or age; previously:

   a custom formerly observed.

2. Obsolete. in time just past; just now.

formerly

/ ˈfɔːməlɪ /

adverb

1. at or in a former time; in the past
2. obsolete.
   in the immediate past; just now

Word History and Origins

Origin of formerly¹

First recorded in 1580–90; former ¹ + -ly

Example Sentences

X, formerly known as Twitter, is closing its headquarters in San Francisco and moving some of its San Francisco employees to San José and Palo Alto.

From Los Angeles Times

The Bastrop, Texas, company, formerly headquartered in Hawthorne, has completed a 1.7-mile loop under the Las Vegas Convention Center and is building a larger citywide loop — both without federal funding.

From Los Angeles Times

X, formerly known as Twitter, served as an online megaphone for Musk, who constantly shared his support for Trump during the election season.

From Los Angeles Times

Dr. Gary Slutkin is an epidemiologist formerly with the World Health Organization, where he founded the Intervention Unit, which designed innovations in epidemic control.

From Salon

"RINO John Thune, 'Mitch’s boy,' should just let it play out," Trump wrote on what was formerly known as Twitter.

From Salon

Related Words

• already
• earlier
• heretofore
• once