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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

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

    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.