formerly
gb/fˈɔɹmɚli/ us/fˈɔɹmɚli/
B2
English
~ 6100
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
B2
relation
1
at an earlier time, not now
At a time in the past, but not now.
Usage pattern:
[something] was formerly [state/role/name]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *formerly* like *before* to talk about order of actions in one story (e.g., "I ate lunch formerly I went to work"). *Formerly* is not used this way. It describes a past state that is no longer true, especially in formal writing: "He was formerly a teacher" (not about sequence of actions, but about a change in role). Learners also sometimes put *formerly* in unnatural positions; the most common are after *was/were* ("was formerly"), before a noun ("formerly a teacher"), or before *known as* ("formerly known as").
Synonyms
previously (Very close in meaning; slightly less formal and more common in everyday speech.)
|
earlier (Often focuses on an earlier point in a sequence of events, not always with the idea that the situation has changed permanently.)
|
once (More narrative or story-like; can sound more emotional or literary than 'formerly'.)
Antonyms
currently (Emphasizes the present time, contrasting with something that was true only in the past.)
|
now (A very common, simple opposite that points to the present moment instead of an earlier time.)
Collocations
formerly known as
|was formerly
|formerly called
|formerly a
|formerly of
Themes
time
|history
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was formerly a lawyer, but now she works in marketing.
- The building was formerly a factory and is now luxury apartments.
- That company was formerly known as BrightTech.
- He formerly lived in Paris before moving to Tokyo.
- The region was formerly under colonial rule.
Learner examples
- This shop was formerly a small café.
- He was formerly the manager of the team.
- The city was formerly very quiet, but now it is busy.
- The school was formerly only for boys.
- The country was formerly very poor, but it has grown richer.
Grammar
Dictionary form
formerly
IPA
GB/fˈɔɹmɚli/
US/fˈɔɹmɚli/
Syllables & stress
formerly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (formerly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: formerly
- Plural: formerlies
Word family
Forms
formerlies
noun
Core family
former
adjective B1
Expressions
formerly known as
1/fˈɔɹmɚli nˈoʊn ˈæz/
fixed phrase
formal
having had a different earlier name
Used to show the old name of a person, group, or thing that now has a new name.
Examples
- Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, owns several major social media services.
- The singer, formerly known as Lily Green, changed her stage name after the album release.