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.
The researchers report that genetics may account for roughly half of the variation in human lifespan, which is at least double previous estimates.
From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026
The previous proposal was that the chiefs of the intelligence services would be able to veto officers from giving evidence that could potentially risk breaching national security.
From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026
Politicians, from the early 20th century dictator Porfirio Díaz to the highly popular previous President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, have long shared cultural space with entertainers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
Acevedo said she planned to refinance her loan but learned that she couldn’t because the property had a lien from a previous owner.
From Salon • Apr. 12, 2026
It was commanded by Sir John Franklin, who had already proved himself on two previous Passage searches.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
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.
