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Erstwhile vs Earlier - What's the difference?

erstwhile | earlier |

Earlier is a synonym of erstwhile.



As adverbs the difference between erstwhile and earlier

is that erstwhile is formerly; in the past while earlier is comparative of early.

As adjectives the difference between erstwhile and earlier

is that erstwhile is former, previous while earlier is comparative of early.

erstwhile

English

Adverb

(-)
  • Formerly; in the past.

    • Synonyms

    * erewhile

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (literary, legal) Former, previous.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1905, author=
    • , title= , chapter=2 citation , passage=“Scarcely had Alice reached her twentieth birthday, than she gave her erstwhile fiancée [sic] his formal congé. […]”}}

    Synonyms

    * former, once, previous, quondam, onetime * See also

    earlier

    English

    Adjective

    (head)
  • (early)
  • occurring previously
    • I shall be late because I missed the earlier train.

    Adverb

    (head)
  • (early)
  • previously; before now; sooner
    • I shall be late because I didn't start earlier .