What Is Another Way to Say “Long Ago”?

Looking for synonyms for long ago? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say long ago.

  • Ancient
  • Antiquated
  • Bygone
  • Distant past
  • Olden days
  • Historical
  • Time-honored
  • Ancestral
  • Yesteryear
  • Primeval
  • Foregone
  • Prehistoric
  • Early
  • Archaic
  • Erstwhile

Want to learn how to say long ago professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Ancient

Appropriate Usage: Refers to something very old, often from a long past civilization.
Example: The team unearthed ancient artifacts from the Greek Bronze Age.

2. Antiquated

Appropriate Usage: Used for something outdated or old-fashioned, but not necessarily historic.
Example: The company’s antiquated computer systems are in urgent need of an upgrade.

3. Bygone

Appropriate Usage: Describes something that belonged to an earlier time.
Example: Bygone marketing strategies are no longer effective in today’s digital world.

4. Distant Past

Appropriate Usage: Refers to a time that is far removed from the present.
Example: Techniques from the distant past of project management are being revisited for their simplicity.

5. Olden Days

Appropriate Usage: Informal term for a period long past, often with a nostalgic tone.
Example: In the olden days, business deals were sealed with a handshake.

6. Historical

Appropriate Usage: Pertains to something from history or the past.
Example: The company boasts a long and impressive historical lineage in the industry.

7. Time-honored

Appropriate Usage: Describes something respected because of its age and long-standing use.
Example: The firm adheres to time-honored principles of client confidentiality.

8. Ancestral

Appropriate Usage: Pertains to something from ancestors or past generations.
Example: The company follows ancestral business practices founded centuries ago.

9. Yesteryear

Appropriate Usage: Refers nostalgically to a past period, often used poetically.
Example: The financial models of yesteryear cannot predict today’s market trends.

10. Primeval

Appropriate Usage: Used for something very ancient or primitive.
Example: This region is known for its primeval forests, untouched by modern industry.

11. Foregone

Appropriate Usage: Refers to something that has passed or gone by.
Example: The foregone era of manual record-keeping has been replaced by digital databases.

12. Prehistoric

Appropriate Usage: Describes something from before recorded history.
Example: The geological survey team is studying prehistoric climate patterns.

13. Early

Appropriate Usage: General term for something from an earlier period.
Example: The company’s early ventures into international markets set the stage for its global presence.

14. Archaic

Appropriate Usage: Refers to something extremely old or outdated.
Example: The archaic legal provisions are due for a comprehensive review.

15. Erstwhile

Appropriate Usage: Used to denote something from a former time.
Example: The company’s erstwhile policy on remote work has been thoroughly revised.

Linda Brown