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. previous to
   before; prior to

Derived Forms

• ˈpreviousness, noun
• ˈpreviously, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·vi·ous·ly adverb
• pre·vi·ous·ness 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 ban was introduced by the previous Conservative government to cut serious violence and crime.

From BBC

Again, Landau points to previous research to explain why dry or rainy conditions might prime weeds to be less responsive to herbicides.

From Science Daily

The team found that these supercharged microglia flooded their environments with an inflammatory chemical, supporting previous research linking that chemical with cognitive status.

From Science Daily

He has alleged that previous presidential elections were rigged - a claim denied by the government.

From BBC

A government worker in Camarines said that the people had “not recovered from the previous storms when the super typhoon hit.”

From NewsForKids.net

Related Words

• earlier
• past
• preceding