First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
1former
adjective for·mer \ˈfȯr-mər\
—used to say what someone or something was in the past
: existing in the past
Full Definition of FORMER
1
a : coming before in time b : of, relating to, or occurring in the past <former correspondence>
2
: preceding in place or arrangement : foregoing <the former part of the chapter>
3
: first in order of two or more things cited or understood <of the two given, the former spelling is more common> <of the two spellings, the former is more common>
4
: having been previously : onetime <a former athlete>
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Origin of FORMER
Middle English, from forme first, from Old English forma — more at foremost
Related to FORMER
Synonym Discussion of FORMER
preceding, antecedent, foregoing, previous, prior, former, anterior mean being before. preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place <the preceding sentence>. antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation <conditions antecedent to the revolution>. foregoing applies chiefly to statements <the foregoing remarks>. previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance <a child from a previous marriage> <a prior obligation>. former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter <the former name of the company>. anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order <the anterior lobe of the brain>.
2former
noun form·er \ˈfȯr-mər\
Definition of FORMER
1
: one that forms
2
chiefly British : a member of a school form —usually used in combination <sixth former>
First Known Use of FORMER
14th century
FORMER[1] Defined for Kids
former
adjective for·mer \ˈfȯr-mər\
Definition of FORMER for Kids
: coming before in time <a former president>
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