formerly

adverb

for·​mer·​ly ˈfȯr-mər-lē 

ˈfȯr-mə-

1

: at an earlier time : previously

Istanbul was formerly known as Constantinople.

2

obsolete : just before

Synonyms of formerly

• once

Examples of formerly in a Sentence

He was formerly a congressman.

the newspaper formerly known as “The Newsprint”

Recent Examples on the Web

The restless souls contained within all forms of life begin to awaken, bringing fiery hues back to the formerly dreary expanse of winter landscapes. —Emily Leahy, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026

Danon Bourbon sat at 14-1 (formerly at 20-1). —Curt Anderson, New York Times, 2 May 2026

Spirit suspends service in Kansas City On Saturday, MCI staff began to tear down signage at the airport terminals that formerly housed Spirit flights. —Kendrick Calfee may 2, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2026

Northbrook Court, formerly a beacon of high-end retailing located in the heart of Chicago’s wealthy northern suburbs, is pockmarked with vacancies today. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

formerly

adverb

for·​mer·​ly ˈfȯr-mər-lē 

: at an earlier time : previously