# erstwhile

> English word · Adverb · IPA /ˈɜː(ɹ)st.waɪl/ · frequency rank #32,797

## Definitions
1. Formerly; in the past.

## Etymology
From erst (“first, formerly”) + while.

## Common misspellings (14)
`errstwhile`, `ersstwhile`, `ersthwile`, `ersttwhile`, `erstwhhile`, `erstwhiel`, `erstwhille`, `erstwhlie`, `erstwihle`, `erstwwhile`, `erswthile`, `ertswhile`, `esrtwhile`, `restwhile`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/erstwhile