Forementioned- Meaning, Usage & Examples

What Does "Forementioned" Actually Mean?

Forementioned is a formal adjective that refers to something already mentioned in the same document, conversation, or context. It's the written-down cousin of "aforementioned" — just slightly less common, but meaning exactly the same thing.

The word does exactly what it says on the tin: forementioned = for (before) + mentioned (spoken about). Simple enough.

Is "Forementioned" a Real Word?

Yes. It appears in major dictionaries including Merriam-Webster and Oxford. It's not slang, not jargon, and not wrong — though you'll rarely see it in casual conversation.

It belongs to a family of legal and formal terms:

• Aforementioned
• Forementioned
• Hereinbefore
• Thereinbefore

These words exist because lawyers and legislators needed precise ways to point back to earlier text without repeating themselves endlessly. You can thank centuries of contract writing for this vocabulary.

Forementioned vs. Formentioned — What's the Difference?

Nothing. They're the same word.

"Formentioned" is just a common misspelling of "forementioned." Your spell-checker might even accept both, but "forementioned" is the standard form. The confusion comes from misreading "fore" as "for" — easy mistake, wrong answer.

How to Use "Forementioned" in a Sentence

Use it exactly like you'd use "aforementioned" or "previously mentioned."

Formal Writing

"The forementioned requirements must be met before submission."

"All parties acknowledge receipt of the forementioned documents."

Legal Contexts

"The forementioned clause supersedes Article 4.2 of this agreement."

Everyday Usage (If You Must)

Honestly, you won't use this word often outside legal briefs, contracts, or academic papers. In casual writing, just say "mentioned earlier" or "this."

When to Use "Forementioned" vs. Simpler Alternatives

Here's the honest truth: most of the time, you don't need this word. "The" or "that" or "mentioned above" works just fine.

Use forementioned when:

• You're writing legal, academic, or formal documents
• You need to be precise about what you're referencing
• Repetition would be clunky but clarity is required

Skip it when:

• You're writing for a general audience
• Your sentence works fine with "this" or "that"
• You're trying to sound smarter than you need to

Forementioned vs. Similar Terms

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Spelling it "formentioned"
Don't. The correct spelling is "forementioned."

2. Using it where "this" works
If your sentence reads fine with "this," don't force "forementioned" in there.

3. Mixing it with other reference words
Don't write "the forementioned above" — that's redundant. Choose one.

4. Overusing it
One reference per document is enough. More than that and you're just showing off.

The Bottom Line

Forementioned is a legitimate, correct word. It means exactly what you think it means. But it's also unnecessary most of the time. If you're writing contracts or legal documents, keep it in your toolkit. If you're writing anything else, "this" or "mentioned above" will serve you just as well — without the stuffy formality.