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

The protest movement has issued Rajoelina with a list of demands that includes a public apology for the violence against them but no longer mentions its previous calls for him to step down.

Read more on Barron's

The Ministry of Finance doesn’t disclose the levels at which it intervenes, but markets have paired previous surges in the currency to levels between 157 and 161 yen to the dollar.

Read more on Barron's

Analysts at the firm forecast 2% total revenue growth in the September-ended quarter, largely in line with consensus and the firm’s previous estimates.

Read more on Barron's

Although previous studies have linked forever chemicals to serious human health issues, such as certain cancers and reproductive disorders, their broader ecological impacts remain uncertain.

Read more on Science Daily

They can cope with more variability than previous industrial robots, which had no sensing abilities.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• earlier www.thesaurus.com
• past 
• preceding