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Definitions

heretofore

[heer-tuh-fawr, -fohr] / ˌhɪər təˈfɔr, -ˈfoʊr /


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.

On the subject of AI replacing heretofore normal human activities, Mr. Amodei, born in 1983, writes with the wide-eyed wonder of a high-school-aged techno-utopian.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Long before Taylor Swift released her first single, K-pop captivated audiences to create a new level of fandom heretofore unknown.

From Salon • Jun. 29, 2025

Stories abounded about users’ discoveries of heretofore unknown ethnic backgrounds or even discovering unknown relatives.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2025

“We want to take the heretofore somewhat passive experience of going into a theater, and we want to expand that and give people a chance to do other things and have fun,” Brein said.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2024

It might get noised about that the Pontelliers had met with reverses, and were forced to conduct their ménage on a humbler scale than heretofore.

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin