former

¹for·mer

adj \ˈfȯr-mər\

Definition of FORMER

1

a : coming before in time b : of, relating to, or occurring in the past <former correspondence>

2

: preceding in place or arrangement : foregoing <the former part of the chapter>

3

: first in order of two or more things cited or understood <of the two given, the former spelling is more common> <of the two spellings, the former is more common>

4

: having been previously : onetime <a former athlete>

Examples of FORMER

1. <the coach is a former professional baseball player>
2. <the former manual had some errors, but the current version has its own problems>

Origin of FORMER

Middle English, from forme first, from Old English forma — more at foremost

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to FORMER

Synonyms: erstwhile, late, old, once, onetime, other, past, quondam, sometime, whilom

Antonyms: after, ensuing, following, later, posterior, subsequent, succeeding

Related Words: bygone, dead, defunct, departed, expired, extinct, gone, long-ago, vanished

Near Antonyms: contemporary, current, extant, ongoing, present, present-day; coming, future, prospective, unborn

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at preceding

Rhymes with FORMER

dormer, swarmer, warmer