predecessor
PREE-dih-seh-suh
Predecessor (noun) means a person who held a job, role, or position before the current person. Example: “My predecessor left a helpful folder of notes on the desk for me.”
noun
1
A person who held a job, role, or position before the current person.
"My predecessor left a helpful folder of notes on the desk for me."
"The head teacher met her predecessor to talk about how the school had changed."
"The new CEO praised her predecessor for building such a strong company culture."
2
An earlier model or version of something that has since been replaced.
"The latest version of the software fixes many problems found in its predecessor."
"This sturdy bridge replaced its wooden predecessor, which was too weak for heavy traffic."
"The new phone is much faster than its predecessor."
How to use predecessor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhoever or whatever came before — the previous person in a role, or the earlier version of a product.
Common mistake
Don't mix up with "successor," which is the opposite — the one who comes after, not before.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
his predecessor
unlike its predecessor
predecessor company
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like predecessor.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- predecessors
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My _____ left a helpful folder of notes on the desk for me.
Etymology
From Old French predecesseor, from Late Latin praedecessor, from prae- (\"before\") plus decessor, \"one who retires,\" from decedere (\"to withdraw, to die\").
Synonyms
View more →
prior holder
previous incumbent
harbinger
herald
forerunner
foreganger
ancestor
antecessor
precursor
elder
ancient
precessor
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for predecessor
See all rhymes for predecessor →Frequently asked questions
What does “predecessor” mean?
The word “predecessor” means a person who held a job, role, or position before the current person. In plain terms, whoever or whatever came before — the previous person in a role, or the earlier version of a product.
How do you pronounce “predecessor”?
“Predecessor” is pronounced PREE-dih-seh-suh (/ˈpɹɛd.ə.sɛs.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “predecessor” in a sentence?
Here is “predecessor” used in a sentence: “The new CEO praised her predecessor for building such a strong company culture.”
What is another word for “predecessor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “predecessor” include forerunner, foreganger, ancestor, antecessor, precursor and elder.
What is the opposite of “predecessor”?
The opposite of “predecessor” — its antonyms — is successor.
What part of speech is “predecessor”?
“Predecessor” is a noun.
Where does the word “predecessor” come from?
The word “predecessor” comes from Late Latin. From Old French predecesseor, from Late Latin praedecessor, from prae- (\"before\") plus decessor, \"one who retires,\" from decedere (\"to withdraw, to die\").
Is “predecessor” a common word?
“Predecessor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between a predecessor and a successor?
A predecessor is the person or thing that came before, holding a job, role, or position before the current one. A successor is the opposite: the person or thing that follows and takes over afterward. The two words describe the same relationship viewed from opposite directions in time.
Can predecessor be used for objects, not just people?
Yes. Predecessor also describes an earlier model or version of something that has since been replaced, such as a previous phone model or an older piece of software. This non-human sense is common in technology and product writing.
Is predecessor formal or informal?
Predecessor is a neutral-to-formal word commonly used in business, government, and technical writing. It works fine in everyday speech too, but it tends to sound more precise than casual alternatives like the person before me.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include predecessor:
