former
FAW-muh
Former (adj) means existing or happening before now; previous. Example: “The former president gave a speech at the ceremony.”
adj
1
Existing or happening before now; previous.
"The former president gave a speech at the ceremony."
"She reconnected with a former classmate online."
"The building is a former factory that now houses small shops."
2
Referring to the first of two things just mentioned.
"Given a choice of train or coach, I prefer the former for long journeys."
"Of the two plans, the former is far cheaper."
"Tea or coffee? I think the former suits this weather better."
How to use former
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes someone or something that used to hold a role or existed earlier, or the first-named of two options.
Common mistake
"Former" pairs with "latter" when referring back to two items already listed.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
former president
former self
the former
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The _____ president gave a speech at the ceremony.
Etymology
From Middle English former, the comparative of forme ("first"), from Old English forma — related to "first" and "fore."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for former
See all rhymes for former →Frequently asked questions
What does “former” mean?
The word “former” means existing or happening before now; previous. In plain terms, describes someone or something that used to hold a role or existed earlier, or the first-named of two options.
How do you pronounce “former”?
“Former” is pronounced FAW-muh (/ˈfɔɹmɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “former” in a sentence?
Here is “former” used in a sentence: “The former president gave a speech at the ceremony.”
What is another word for “former”?
Words with a similar meaning to “former” include antecedent, anterior, earlier, erstwhile, ex and foregone.
What is the opposite of “former”?
The opposite of “former” — its antonyms — are current and subsequent.
What part of speech is “former”?
“Former” is an adjective.
Where does the word “former” come from?
The word “former” comes from Old English. From Middle English former, the comparative of forme ("first"), from Old English forma — related to "first" and "fore.".
Is “former” a common word?
“Former” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between former and latter?
When two things have just been mentioned, 'former' points to the first one and 'latter' to the second. If you say 'tea or coffee — I prefer the former,' you mean tea. They only work as a pair for two items; with three or more, use 'first' and 'last' instead.
What does 'former' mean before a job title?
It means the person once held that role but no longer does — a former president is not in office now, and a former teacher has left the profession. It is the more formal equivalent of the prefix 'ex-,' so 'former manager' and 'ex-manager' mean the same thing.
Is 'former' the same as 'ex'?
In the sense of 'previous,' yes — a former colleague and an ex-colleague both once held that link to you. 'Former' sounds a little more formal and suits jobs, places, and states of being. 'Ex' on its own most often refers specifically to a previous romantic partner.
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