formerly Definition
- 1in the past; before the present time
- 2at a time in the past when someone or something had a particular position or status
Using formerly: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "formerly" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The company was formerly known as XYZ Inc.
Example
He was formerly a professional athlete.
Example
The building was formerly a church.
Example
I formerly lived in New York City.
formerly Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for formerly
Phrases with formerly
used to indicate that someone or something had a different name or identity in the past
Example
Prince changed his name to a symbol and was formerly known as 'The Artist Formerly Known as Prince.'
used to indicate that someone or something used to be associated with a particular group or place
Example
She is formerly of the New York Times and now works for the Washington Post.
used to describe someone who has been released from prison after serving a sentence
Example
The organization provides job training and support for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Origins of formerly
from 'former' + '-ly'
Summary: formerly in Brief
'Formerly' [ˈfɔːməli] refers to a time in the past, indicating that someone or something had a different position or status. It can be used to describe a previous name or identity, as in 'formerly known as,' or a previous association with a group or place, as in 'formerly of.' 'Formerly incarcerated' describes someone who has served a prison sentence.