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Define Erstwhile Meaning

Erstwhile
previous, no longer there

Our erstwhile friend died Friday. He used to be your friend, but he died.
By Lissy
Erstwhile
"Former," "previous," "ex-"

Erstwhile works a lot like "ex," except it's an adjective instead of a prefix, much more formal and a little old-fashioned. Not everyone knows what it means. Lots of people slip it into sentences because it sounds fancy and makes them feel like they're from the 1890s.

My erstwhile and estimable business partner will be joining us for lunch."

"Wait, you guys aren't working together anymore?"

"What? No, we still are."

"Then why'd you say 'erstwhile'?"

"Because he went to Harvard, man! It doesn't get more erstwhile than that!"

"That's not what that word means, dude."

"Don't say 'dude.' It'll make you sound uneducated."
By Merrilee
Erstwhile
See dicktator

By Kandace
Erstwhile Spouse
Offbeat, gender-neutral way of referring to one's ex-wife or ex-husband.

I have a special ringtone in my cell phone that's only assigned to my ex-wife's phone numbers. So, when my cell phone makes that "oink-oink-oink" sound, I say "Oh, it must be my erstwhile spouse who's calling."

ex-wife ex-husband spouse estranged wife estranged husband
By Brook
Erstwhile Virgin
One who has had some but very little sexual contact with another person. Coined by F. C. Ware.

Yeah, some girl gave him some head when he was in college, but he's been living with his mother for the last 15 years. He's not really a virgin, but he's an erstwhile virgin.
By Taffy
Erstwhile
See dictator

All erstwhiles should be deposed from their abused positions of power.
By Ardelle