previous

[ˈpriːviəs]

previous Definition

• 1. existing or occurring before in time or order; earlier or former
• 2. done, occurring, or collected at an earlier time

Using previous: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "previous" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  I met him on a previous occasion.

• Example

  The previous owners of the house left it in a terrible state.

• Example

  She had a previous engagement and couldn't come to the party.

previous Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for previous

• prior
• former
• earlier
• preceding
• antecedent

Antonyms for previous

• subsequent
• following
• later

Phrases with previous

• in previous years

  in the years before the present one

  Example

  In previous years, the company had made a profit.

• previous experience

  experience gained in a particular field or activity before the present one

  Example

  The job requires previous experience in sales.

• previous knowledge

  knowledge acquired before the present time

  Example

  The course assumes some previous knowledge of the subject.

Origins of previous

from Latin 'praevius', meaning 'going before'

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Summary: previous in Brief

The term 'previous' [ˈpriːviəs] refers to something that existed or occurred before in time or order. It can describe something that was done, occurring, or collected at an earlier time. Examples include 'I met him on a previous occasion' and 'The previous owners of the house left it in a terrible state.' 'Previous' extends into phrases like 'in previous years,' denoting the years before the present one, and 'previous experience,' referring to experience gained before the present one.