How do you pronounce heretofore?

The recorded pronunciation is /ˈhɪɹtəfɔɹ/.

Where does heretofore come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

heretofore

/ˈhɪɹtəfɔɹ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.59 in modern English

Syllables: here-to-fore
IPA: /ˈhɪɹtəfɔɹ/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

Before now, until now, up to the present time; from the beginning to this point.

Formal

adv

Previously within the present text; earlier herein.

Example Sentences

"We now make available these works which were heretofore unpublished."
"He had more liberty now than he'd known heretofore."
"For quotations using this term, see Citations:heretofore."
"The Permanent Way: Britain's Railroads in the Making. By Horace Greenleaf and G. Tyers. […]There is no doubt that the permanent way has failed heretofore to attract popular interest to an extent comparable with its importance, but possibly the publicity given recently to various forms of experiment is tending to change this."
"heretofore referred to as"
"heretofore mentioned"

Etymology

From Middle English heretoforn, equivalent to here (“here”) + toforn (“before”), from Old English tōforan (“before”). More at here, tofore.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: heretoforn, tōforan

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈhɪɹtəfɔɹ/
British English: /ˌhɪətəˈfɔː/

Usage

Formal

Phrases

1. Scottish2. from Middle English mid3. old dialectal form

Frequently Paired Words

— henceafter henceforth henceforward henceforwards hencefrom hereabout hereabouts

Synonyms

hitherto as yet as of yet erenow herebefore hereto heretofore heretoforetime hereunto hereuntofore hithertofore so far

Antonyms

hereafter henceforth hereinafter hereinunder hereunder hereforth

Rhymes With

for or your more before four war d'or door store floor anymore