How Do You Spell ERSTWHILE?

Pronunciation: [ˈɜːstwa͡ɪl] (IPA)

Erstwhile is often misspelled due to its unusual pronunciation. The word is pronounced /ˈɜːrstwaɪl/, with stress on the first syllable. The “erst” part of the word comes from the Old English word “ērest,” meaning “first,” while “while” comes from the Old English word “hwīl,” meaning “a period of time.” Together, they mean “former” or “previously.” Despite its tricky pronunciation, it is a useful word to add to your vocabulary to describe past relationships, jobs, or situations.

ERSTWHILE Meaning and Definition

1. Erstwhile is an adjective that describes something or someone that existed, occurred, or was relevant in the past, but is no longer in that state or position. It can be used to refer to something that was formerly or previously present, active, or known.

   The term is typically used to highlight a change or shift from a previous state. Erstwhile can imply a sense of nostalgia, indicating that something has been replaced or is no longer in existence. It often suggests that the current state is different from the former state mentioned.

   An erstwhile lover, for example, would describe someone who was once a lover but is not currently in that role. Similarly, an erstwhile leader refers to a person who once held a position of authority or power but no longer does.

   Erstwhile can also be used to describe things in a larger context, such as an erstwhile city that no longer holds the same status or importance. It can also be used to describe an erstwhile belief or idea, highlighting that it was previously accepted or held but is no longer supported or commonly held.

   Overall, the term "erstwhile" conveys a sense of the past, indicating that something or someone has transitioned from a previous state, existence, or status to a different one.

Top Common Misspellings for ERSTWHILE *

• earstwhile 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for ERSTWHILE

• wrstwhile
• srstwhile
• drstwhile
• rrstwhile
• 4rstwhile
• 3rstwhile
• eestwhile
• edstwhile
• efstwhile
• etstwhile
• e5stwhile
• erastwhile
• erstwhlie
• Erahwhile
• orsewhile

Etymology of ERSTWHILE

The word "erstwhile" originated from the Middle English "erst" (meaning "earlier" or "previous") and the Old English "hwīl" (meaning "time" or "period"). The combination of these two elements gives us "erstwhile", which means "former" or "formerly".

Similar spelling words for ERSTWHILE

• easterly,
• erectile.