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

• previousness noun
• previously adverb

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 staff have learned two big lessons from the two previous hostage releases in November 2023 and January this year, she says.

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Swinney told the SNP conference in Aberdeen his proposals were the most realistic way of pursuing the goal, based on a previous precedent which brought about the 2014 referendum.

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There was a previous fatal explosion at a unit in the same location in 2014.

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During lockdown, the Queen, in her previous role as Duchess of Cornwall, set up a book club and the Brighton author was one of the selected authors.

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Injury has been a problem all tournament for Djokovic and he vomited during his previous matches after struggling with the heat and humidity.

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Related Words

• earlier www.thesaurus.com
• past 
• preceding