What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ancien
Example
The museum has a collection of ancien artifacts from the Roman Empire. [ancien: adjective]
Example
He was an ancien member of the club, but he resigned last year. [ancien: noun]
Example
The ancien edition of the book had a different cover and layout. [ancien: adjective]
former
Example
The former president of the company retired last year. [former: adjective]
Example
The city's former mayor was known for his environmental policies. [former: adjective]
Example
The former version of the software had some bugs that were fixed in the new release. [former: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Former is more commonly used in English than ancien. Former is a versatile word that can be used in a wide range of contexts, while ancien is less common and is often associated with historical or cultural contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ancien and former?
Both ancien and former can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, ancien may be perceived as more formal due to its association with historical or cultural contexts.
