previously

American  

[pree-vee-uhs-lee] / ˈpri vi əs li /

adverb

1. before now; earlier.

   The evidence now shows a strong likelihood that sea levels will rise more rapidly than previously thought.

   The author was previously managing editor of a multimedia lifestyle company that produced a magazine, website, and newsletters.

---

Etymology

Origin of previously

previous ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

The adverb previously is good for talking about something that happened in the past. If you've read a novel previously, you might just skim it before your book group meets to discuss it. When you talk about things that happened before, whether recently or in the distant past, the word previously can be helpful. You could mention at a job interview that before your current job, you were previously employed as a flight attendant, or tell a date that though you're single now, you were previously married to a famous movie star. Previously comes from the adjective previous, with its Latin root praevius, "going before," from prae, "before," and via, "road."

Example Sentences

The Popinjay Cavalier will be Tarantino's debut as a theatre writer and director, after previously speaking about his desire to retire from movies after making 10 films.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026

OpenAI has also previously accused Chinese groups of employing the same practice.

From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026

The bipartisan bill includes provisions that will encourage new-home construction and ease rules around financing manufactured homes, among other changes, Barron’s previously reported.

From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026

Lockheed previously committed to ramping up Thaad output due to Pentagon demand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026

Always, previously, in an emergency we could throw out something in Greek, under the guise of an aphorism or quotation.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Related Words

• already
• formerly
• heretofore
• hitherto
• once
• then