ere

Ere is an English word that functions as an archaic conjunction meaning before. It is most commonly found in poetry, religious or historical texts, and other forms of writing that deliberately evoke an older or biblical tone. In modern prose, its use is limited and typically intended for stylistic effect rather than everyday communication.

Etymology and history: Ere derives from Old English forms such as ǣr or ær, which carried the sense of prior time or beforehand. In Middle English, the spelling and usage evolved, and ere became a standard literary variant for meaning before. Over time, the word faded from common speech as the modern synonym before became dominant, but it persists in set phrases and in works that aim for a traditional or elevated register.

Usage and phrases: Ere appears most often in phrases such as ere long, meaning soon, and ere now, meaning before this moment. It may also appear simply as ere, meaning before, in verse or scriptural-style prose. Because it is archaic, editors generally reserve it for poetry, historical fiction, or rhetorical flourishes. In contemporary writing, its presence signals a historical or stylized voice rather than current usage.

Examples and tone: A line might read, “Ere the dawn, the city slept,” to convey a classical mood. Readers should not rely on ere for everyday clarity in modern text, where before or earlier would be more natural.

See also: before, before long, archaic language, poetry. Note: Ere is distinct from its uppercase acronym forms, which refer to unrelated organizations or terms outside the word’s linguistic meaning.