ADV [ADVERB before verb] 从前;原来;以前 If something happened or was true formerly, it happened or was true in the past. 从前;原来;以前
SYN previously, earlier, in the past, at one time
| Usage | formerly and formally |
| Formerly and formally sound very similar but have very different meanings. Formerly is used to talk about something that used to be true but isn't true now; formally means 'in a formal manner': Jacques was formerly the president of our club, but he formally resigned last week by sending a letter to the club secretary. |
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