adjective

aforementioned

/ˌæfɔːrˈmɛnʃənd/ · say it: af·FOR·men·shund

mentioned previously

In Formal & Academic

In more detail

1. (adjective) mentioned before in a text or conversation; referred to earlier

Examples

1. The aforementioned document contains all the necessary information.

How to use aforementioned

Aforementioned is a formal, somewhat legalistic or academic term used to refer back to something already stated. It is more common in written discourse, especially in legal, technical, or formal documents, than in everyday conversation. While it precisely indicates a backward reference, it can sound stiff or pompous in casual contexts; 'mentioned earlier' or 'the above' are often more natural alternatives.

Common phrases

the aforementioned person
aforementioned reasons
aforementioned documents
aforementioned point
aforementioned issues

Synonyms

aforesaid · foregoing · earlier-mentioned · previously mentioned · above-mentioned

Word family

aforementioned (adjective) · aforetime (archaic adverb) · afore (archaic/dialectal preposition)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use aforementioned as an adverb (e.g., 'as aforementioned') when it functions only as an adjective; the correct form would be 'as mentioned aforetime' or simply 'as mentioned above.'

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