Definitions

long-ago

[lawng-uh-goh, long-] / ˈlɔŋ əˌgoʊ, ˈlɒŋ- /

ADJECTIVE

former

Synonyms

STRONGEST

departed erstwhile old

STRONG

above ancient antecedent anterior bygone first past prior

WEAK

aforementioned aforesaid earlier ex- foregoing late long gone of yore once one-time preceding quondam sometime whilom

Antonyms

STRONG

after modern new

WEAK

current ensuing following future present prospective subsequent succeeding

ADJECTIVE

past

Synonyms

STRONGEST

earlier early late old preceding previous prior recent

STRONG

ancient bygone latter over

WEAK

ages ago ancient history back when behind one bypast down memory lane erstwhile ex- foregoing gone-by good old days latter-day olden days once one-time quondam retired sometime time was way back way back when

Antonyms

STRONGEST

after current future later on time

STRONG

modern new

WEAK

present

ADVERB

anciently

Synonyms

WEAK

back when eons ago in days of yore long ago of old olden days

ADVERB

beforetime

Synonyms

WEAK

aforetime already before formerly long ago of old once previously

ADVERB

formerly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

already earlier heretofore once

STRONG

erstwhile

WEAK

a while back aforetime anciently at one time away back back back when before before now before this down memory lane eons ago erewhile in former times in the olden days in the past lately long ago of old of yore olden days once upon a time radically some time ago time was used to be water under the bridge

Antonyms

WEAK

currently future presently subsequently

ADVERB

once

Synonyms

STRONGEST

already before earlier formerly late previously

STRONG

erstwhile

WEAK

a single time at one time away back back back when but once bygone heretofore in the old days in the olden days in times gone by in times past long ago old on one occasion once only once upon a time one one time before one time previously only one time quondam sometime this time time was whilom

Antonyms

STRONGEST

currently future later presently

ADVERB

previously

Synonyms

STRONGEST

already formerly heretofore hitherto long ago once then

STRONG

antecedently

WEAK

a while ago ahead ante at one time away back back back when before beforehand erstwhile fore forward in advance in anticipation in days gone by in the past precedently time was until now

Antonyms

WEAK

currently future later presently

NOUN

past

Synonyms

STRONGEST

history

STRONG

antiquity yesterday yesteryear yore

WEAK

days gone by former times good old days long ago old lang syne old times olden days time immemorial times past years ago

Antonyms

WEAK

future present

NOUN

time out of mind

Synonyms

WEAK

aeons ago ages auld lang syne days beyond recall long ago long since month of Sundays remote ages time immemorial

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Like Ted, Greg is also recovering from a long-ago divorce, but what forces him out of his shell is the implosion of his daughter’s.

From Salon • May 11, 2026

Unlike the long-ago transition to the cloud, which undid many existing software firms, incumbents aren’t being complacent this time around.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Aside from medical ailments, you may sense that long-ago unresolved issues — ruptured relationships, grievous losses, life-altering decisions — undermine your well-being in subtle but significant ways.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

By dint of pandemic pauses and far-flung locales around the U.K.’s Cotswolds and on the Welsh Borders, the lineup managed to quietly ferment and realize some of that long-ago unknown magical mystery.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

Sticky echoed, remembering that long-ago phrase of his father’s, the phrase he’d partly overheard.

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart

long-ago

Example Sentences

Related Words