Words / B2

PREEV-ee-uh-slee/ˈpriːviəsli/

Previously means before the time you are talking about: previously used paper logs; previously unknown. Previous is the adjective (already in the dictionary). The centre had previously used paper logs. Formal than before. Do not pair previously with ago (“previously two years ago”).

Meaning

Before the time you are talking about.

Examples

• “The centre had previously used paper logs; the portal is new this series.”
• “A previously unpublished letter featured in the anthology, which is the archive sense.”

Good to know

previously + verb / adjective. Adjective: previous. Everyday: before / used to. Methods, news, and archives. Before that, not “ago” twice.

Near in meaning

before

New