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 heretofore 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

The battlelines of this drama have largely been confined to planning board rooms, heretofore.

From Voice of San Diego

This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor.

From Vox

As if we haven’t endured enough in the past year, we’re currently living through what will heretofore be known as The Great Bicycle Shortage of 2021, which means complete bicycles, as well as parts, have been hard to come by.

From Outside Online

And, ok, it has been abused in heretofore unimaginable ways by the eternally crusty Mitch McConnell, but, still, it must be kept if we're to be a bipartisan nation.

From The Daily Beast

In the film’s climax, Nixon — who has heretofore taken manly pride in never crying — kneels with Henry Kissinger and prays.

From Washington Post

Increasingly, many women are choosing to remain single—heretofore something rare in these countries.

From The Daily Beast

Gone, too, are the heretofore immutable protections of intellectual property rights.

From The Daily Beast

Phoenix is a revelation in the role, reaching heretofore unforeseen levels of emotional vulnerability.

From The Daily Beast

Despite increasing diplomatic and military cooperation, “a strategic energy alliance has remained heretofore unconsummated.”

From The Daily Beast

The intersection is essentially between the Brotherhood, the military, the revolutionaries, and the heretofore silent majority.

From The Daily Beast

At last he had found permanence in a life where heretofore had been naught but transience.

From Project Gutenberg

I can perceive none, even though the steamships should still proceed to Liverpool as heretofore.

From Project Gutenberg

In all cases you must carefully comply with the rules‌ and explanations heretofore given.

From Project Gutenberg

As shown heretofore, the pupil must know the facts, and the System will then help him to fix their date.

From Project Gutenberg

This class of stop is also now finding its way into organs more generally than heretofore.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• formerly
• previously