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    Autrefois (en. Formerly)

    /otʁəfwa/

    Meaning & Definition

    EnglishFrench
    adverb
    Indicates an earlier time compared to the present moment.
    Once upon a time, people traveled much more by foot.
    Autrefois, les gens voyageaient beaucoup plus à pied.
    Used to evoke memories of a bygone time.
    He remembers once upon a time with nostalgia.
    Il se souvient d'autrefois avec nostalgie.
    Refers to a past situation or condition.
    Once upon a time, our village was much more lively.
    Autrefois, notre village était beaucoup plus animé.

    Etymology

    From Latin 'alter' meaning 'other' and 'foi' deriving from 'tempus'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    once upon a time
    In the past, at an earlier time.
    autrefois
    a long time ago
    Refers to a distant event in time.
    il y a longtemps
    memories of yesteryear
    Reminders of the past, often nostalgic.
    souvenirs d'autrefois

    Related Words

    temporality
    The state or quality of being related to time.
    temporalité
    nostalgia
    An affection for the past, often seen as a regret.
    nostalgie
    yesteryear
    At a bygone time; formerly.
    jadis

    Slang Meanings

    A humorous reference to something old.
    That's a real thing from back in the day!
    C'est un vrai truc d'autrefois !
    Used to talk about a past trend.
    That style was really from another time.
    Ce style, c'était vraiment autrefois.