previous

[pree-vee-uhs]

adjective

1. coming or occurring before something else; prior.

   the previous owner.

   Synonyms: foregoing, preceding, former

2. Informal.,  done, occurring, etc., before the proper time; premature.

   Aren't you a little previous with that request?

previous

/ ˈpriːvɪəs /

adjective

1. (prenominal) existing or coming before something else in time or position; prior

2. informal,  (postpositive) taking place or done too soon; premature

3. before; prior to

Other Word Forms

• previously adverb
• previousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of previous¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin praevius “going before,” equivalent to prae- pre- + vi(a) “way” + -us adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of previous¹

C17: from Latin praevius leading the way, from prae before + via way

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. previous to, before; prior to.

   Previous to moving here she lived in Chicago.

Example Sentences

In previous seasons, Arteta's approach has been described as pragmatic given the lack of risk taken in their attacking play despite dominating the ball.

From BBC

But what if the previous and the thing to follow are both better off left in the bucket?

From Salon

He has shifted position through previous rounds of negotiations, and has ridden through previous ceasefire deals, only to back out when a permanent end to the war is up for discussion.

From BBC

In the previous 30 seasons playing in the stadium, the Angels’ attendance had topped 2.6 million only four times.

From Los Angeles Times

On 9 September, Israeli jets fired missiles at a residential compound in the Qatari capital where Hamas's negotiating team was discussing a previous US ceasefire proposal.

From BBC

Related Words

• earlier www.thesaurus.com
• past 
• preceding