former

¹

[ fawr-mer ]

adjective

1. preceding in time; prior or earlier:

   The first contestants were eliminated during a former stage in the proceedings.

2. past, long past, or ancient:

   In former times, willow was consumed for pain.

3. preceding in order; being the first of two:

   Our former manufacturing process was too costly.

   Synonyms: antecedent, foregoing

4. being the first mentioned of two ( latter ):

   The former suggestion was preferred to the latter one.

5. having once, or previously, been; erstwhile:

   Every former president receives a lifelong security detail.

   Synonyms: ex-, past

noun

1. the for·mer, the first mentioned of two ( the latter ):

   There are still economy and business class tickets available, but be sure to book the former if you're on a budget.

former

²

[ fawr-mer ]

noun

1. a person or thing that forms or serves to form.
2. a pupil in a particular form or grade, especially in a British secondary school:

   fifth formers.

former

¹

/ ˈfɔːmə /

adjective

1. belonging to or occurring in an earlier time

   former glory

2. having been at a previous time

   a former colleague

3. denoting the first or first mentioned of two

   in the former case

4. near the beginning

noun

1. the former
   the first or first mentioned of two: distinguished from latter

former

²

/ ˈfɔːmə /

noun

1. a person or thing that forms or shapes
2. electrical engineering a tool for giving a coil or winding the required shape, sometimes consisting of a frame on which the wire can be wound, the frame then being removed

Word History and Origins

Origin of former¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English, equivalent to forme ( Old English forma “first”) + -er -er ⁴; foremost

Origin of former²

First recorded in 1300–50, former is from the Middle English word fourmer. See form, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Ron DeSantis certainly has power, but it's fair to say his current station as a Cabinet pick understudy isn't where the former presidential hopeful expected to end up.

From Salon

The president-elect has already nominated former Fox News host Pete Hegseth to the role, but allegations of sexual assault and problem drinking have made his confirmation no sure thing.

From Salon

Trump tagged former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general in his second term, but a House investigation into alleged sexual misconduct quickly sank Gaetz's chances.

From Salon

Trump has since nominated the former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for that position.

From Salon

NBC previewed the interview, which is set to air on Sunday morning, with a clip of Trump going to bat for Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News host whose Cabinet nomination has dredged up allegations of sexual assault and problem drinking.

From Salon

Related Words

• departed
• erstwhile
• old