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

And at its sale price of over $9m, including buyer's premium, Superman #1 easily beat the previous highest-priced comic book ever sold by $3m.

Read more on BBC

It’s a good financial habit to check your withholding, and a “good time to do that is when you just complete your taxes for the previous year,” said Husak from the Center for American Progress.

Read more on MarketWatch

As “True Nature” illustrates, “The Snow Leopard” differs from Matthiessen’s previous nonfiction because it melds science with a spiritual quest, incorporating the author’s newfound zeal for Zen Buddhism.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ms. Vaill nevertheless leans into it harder than previous biographers, who have characterized their mutual affection as platonic.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Dingwall, who started England's previous three Autumn Series internationals Tests and scored a try in last week's 33-19 win over New Zealand, has failed to overcome a side injury sustained against the All Blacks.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• earlier www.thesaurus.com
• past 
• preceding