previous
PREE-veers
Previous (adj) means coming before the current one, in time or order. Example: “Compared with the previous model, this phone has a much better camera.”
adj
1
Coming before the current one, in time or order.
"Compared with the previous model, this phone has a much better camera."
"Putin’s answered by simply stating he did not believe Ukraine had honored the previous ceasefires Moscow had unilaterally called, and that Kyiv has said Moscow never respected either."
— Nick Paton Walsh, Ukraine ceasefire call is aimed at forcing Putin to reveal his war goals to Trump (2025)
"He is no better than the previous Prime Minister."
"Her previous job was in marketing, before she switched to teaching."
"Please refer back to the previous chapter for context."
How to use previous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe one that came right before this one.
Common pairings
previous experience
the previous year
previous owner
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Word forms
- Plural
- previouses
- Comparative
- more previous
- Superlative
- most previous
Fill the gap
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Compared with the _____ model, this phone has a much better camera.
Etymology
From Latin praevius, "going before."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for previous
See all rhymes for previous →Frequently asked questions
What does “previous” mean?
The word “previous” means coming before the current one, in time or order. In plain terms, the one that came right before this one.
How do you pronounce “previous”?
“Previous” is pronounced PREE-veers (/ˈpɹi.vi.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “previous” in a sentence?
Here is “previous” used in a sentence: “Her previous job was in marketing, before she switched to teaching.”
What is another word for “previous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “previous” include foregoing, former, late and old.
What is the opposite of “previous”?
The opposite of “previous” — its antonyms — are following, future, next and succeeding.
What part of speech is “previous”?
“Previous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “previous” come from?
The word “previous” comes from Latin. From Latin praevius, "going before.".
Is “previous” a common word?
“Previous” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between previous and prior?
Both mean coming before, and they are often interchangeable. Previous is the more everyday word and simply means the one before. Prior sounds more formal and, followed by 'to', can mean before in time — 'prior to the meeting'. Prior can also imply greater importance, as in a prior commitment.
What is the opposite of previous?
The opposite of previous is next or following — the one that comes after rather than before. Subsequent is a more formal alternative meaning the same thing. So the previous chapter is the one you just read, while the next or following chapter is the one still to come.
What is an example of previous in a sentence?
You might say, 'In my previous job, I worked from home,' referring to the job you held before this one. Other examples include 'the previous owner of the house' or 'as mentioned in the previous chapter.' In each, previous points back to the one immediately before the current one.
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