“former”

Definitions

• adjective

  referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

  Synonyms: aforementioned, aforenamed, aforesaid, ancient, antecedent, antediluvian, anterior, anticipatory, beforementioned, bygone, departed, earlier

  Antonyms: latter

  • Example:“The novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one.”

• adjective

  belonging to some prior time

  Synonyms: erstwhile, old, onetime, quondam, sometime

  • Example:“erstwhile friend”
  • Example:“our former glory”

• adjective

  (used especially of persons) of the immediate past

  Synonyms: late, previous

  • Example:“the former president”
  • Example:“Our late President is still very active.”

• adjective

  belonging to the distant past

  Synonyms: early, other

  • Example:“the early inhabitants of Europe”
  • Example:“former generations”

• noun

  the first of two or the first mentioned of two

  Antonyms: latter

  • Example:“Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today.”