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
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.
Previous work by Infurna found that higher levels of inequality are associated with poorer health and greater loneliness among middle-aged adults.
From Science Daily • Jun. 14, 2026
Previous efforts have been bedeviled by the sheer engineering complexity, political rivalries and bad timing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026
Previous memory cycles were always driven by supply rather than demand, which led to an eventual product glut, Kim said.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026
Previous reports had named Prestige Construction and Engineering Company as the registered contractor for the renovations.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Previous work in Adaurice’s lab had shown that crystalline A-form DNA fibers increase in length when they take up water and go over into the B form.
From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson
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.
