adjective · B1

Former

FORM-uh/ˈfɔːmə/

Former describes someone or something in the past but not now: the former president; her former colleague; a former factory. Previous is close and often about the last one in a sequence (the previous page). Ex- is a short prefix: ex-wife. The former … the latter names the first and second of two things just mentioned. Do not use former for “in front” — that is front / forward.

Meaning

Used to describe someone or something in the past, but not now.

Examples

“The former president visited the school.”
“The building is a former factory, now used as flats.”
“She still emails her former classmates.”

Good to know

former + job / role. Sequence “last one”: previous. Prefix: ex-. Pair: the former … the latter.

Near in meaning

New