Top definition
previous, no longer there
Our erstwhile friend died Friday. He used to be your friend, but he died.
by Dessicator April 28, 2003
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Jul 2 Word of the Day
Someone people turn to when they're sad who makes them feel better.
Dude, I was so unhappy about my girl, until I spoke to my serotonin donor who really helped me feel better
by jonfurstn1 November 27, 2009
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2
"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 DRF December 16, 2013
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