former

[ fawr-mer ]

/ ˈfɔr mər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR former ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

preceding in time; prior or earlier: during a former stage in the proceedings.

past, long past, or ancient: in former times.

preceding in order; being the first of two: Our former manufacturing process was too costly.

being the first mentioned of two (distinguished from latter): The former suggestion was preferred to the latter.

having once, or previously, been; erstwhile: a former president.

Nearby words

formatively, formboard, formby, forme, forme fruste, former, formerly, formfitting, formful, formic, formic acid

Origin of former

1125–75; Middle English, equivalent to forme (Old English forma first) + -er -er⁴. Cf. foremost

SYNONYMS FOR former

3 foregoing, antecedent.

5 past, ex-.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR former ON THESAURUS.COM

Can be confused

former later latter

Definition for former (2 of 2)

former

[ fawr-mer ]

/ ˈfɔr mər /

noun

a person or thing that forms or serves to form.

a pupil in a particular form or grade, especially in a British secondary school: fifth formers.

Origin of former

First recorded in 1300–50, former is from the Middle English word fourmer. See form, -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for former

Former Red Sox star Curt Schilling says his politics are keeping him out of Cooperstown.
Conservative Curt Says His Politics, Not His Pitching, Kept Him Out of the Hall of Fame|Ben Jacobs|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Like many Americans—but few Republican presidential candidates—the former Florida governor has evolved on the issue.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And now, similarly, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee: "Bend over and take it like a prisoner!"
Huckabee 2016: Bend Over and Take It Like a Prisoner!|Olivia Nuzzi|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Current and former intelligence officials have said North Korea has long been a priority target for American spies.
Was Sony Hit With a Second Hack?|Shane Harris|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Lalo said he reported the kidnapping to his ICE handlers, which was confirmed by a former federal agent familiar with the case.
An Informant, a Missing American, and Juarez’s House of Death: Inside the 12-Year Cold Case of David Castro|Bill Conroy|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Gehenna was created before Paradise; the former on the second day and the latter on the third.
Hebraic Literature; Translations from the Talmud, Midrashim and Kabbala|Various
Whether the former gives a dryer product or not, the author cannot decide.
Peat and its Uses as Fertilizer and Fuel|Samuel William Johnson
The former lies to the north-west, and the latter on the north-east side of the town.
Western Himalaya and Tibet|Thomas Thomson
The latter is paid by the persons upon whom it is imposed; the former, by a different set of persons.
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations|Adam Smith
In the former case, action has to contribute profit or security or consolation to a self.
Human Nature and Conduct|John Dewey

British Dictionary definitions for former (1 of 2)

former

/ (ˈfɔːmə) /

adjective (prenominal)

belonging to or occurring in an earlier timeformer glory

having been at a previous timea former colleague

denoting the first or first mentioned of twoin the former case

near the beginning

noun

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

British Dictionary definitions for former (2 of 2)

former

/ (ˈfɔːmə) /

noun

a person or thing that forms or shapes

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012