 former |
||
| 1. | [ adjective ] referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several) | |
| Examples: | "the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967 I prefer the former version to the latter one" |
|
| Related terms: | latter | |
| 2. | [ adjective ] belonging to some prior time | |
| Synonyms: | once onetime quondam sometime erstwhile | |
| Examples: | "erstwhile friend" "our former glory" "the once capital of the state" "her quondam lover" |
|
| Related terms: | past | |
| 3. | [ adjective ] (used especially of persons) of to the immediate past | |
| Synonyms: | previous late | |
| Examples: | "the former president" "our late President is still very active" "the previous occupant of the White House" |
|
| Related terms: | past | |
| 4. | [ adjective ] of the distant past | |
| Synonyms: | early other | |
| Examples: | "the early inhabitants of Europe" "former generations" "in other times" |
|
| Related terms: | past | |
| 5. | [ noun ] the first of two or the first mentioned of two | |
| Examples: | "Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today" |
|
| Related terms: | latter first | |
| Similar spelling: |
formerly Fournier farmer |
|
