adjective
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(prenominal) existing or coming before something else in time or position; prior
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informal (postpositive) taking place or done too soon; premature
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before; prior to
Other Word Forms
- previously adverb
- previousness noun
Etymology
Origin of previous
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin praevius “going before,” equivalent to prae- pre- + vi(a) “way” + -us adjective suffix
Explanation
Previous means the one that just came before. For instance, the previous sentence explained the meaning of the word previous. With previous, you first see that the prefix pre meaning "before." The second part of the word, vius, — think via — means "road," so you’re talking about the road, or thing, before. Previous, though, can be used with people, or anything else too. You will know right away if the previous tenants had cats. Do you ever wonder what you were in a previous life? Rivers are at flood stage from the previous two rain storms.
Vocabulary lists containing previous
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 2
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
China Eastern recorded net profit of 1.63 billion yuan, reversing the 995 million yuan loss in the previous year.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
Ofsted's new report card system replaced its previous one or two-word judgements in November, a move the government says will help raise standards for children.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
The setup has already drawn criticism for its environmental impact, requiring teams and fans to fly across the continent, as opposed to previous World Cups that have taken place within a country.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026
It also included provisions that responded to previous Supreme Court decisions that had narrowed the scope of the Voting Rights Act.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026
On previous camping trips there had always been a few other people around, even late in the year like this.
From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
