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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.

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

These five writers spoke with The Wall Street Journal about their personal GOATs of early American literature, and why their long-ago works still resonate with them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 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

She holds out her white-gloved hand, and Bailey notices that it is larger than the glove he was given as proof of a long-ago dare.

From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern