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former - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'former' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Former [ a.]
- Preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior; earlier; hence, ancient; long past.
- Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a discourse or argument.
- Earlier, as between two things mentioned together; first mentioned.
2 . Former [ n.]
- One who forms; a maker; a creator.
- A shape around which an article is to be shaped, molded, woven wrapped, pasted, or otherwise constructed.
- A templet, pattern, or gauge by which an article is shaped.
- A cutting die.

Meaning of 'former' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . former [ n]
Meaning (1):
- the first of two or the first mentioned of two
Example in sentence:
  • Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today
2 . former [ a]
Meaning (2):
- referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
Example in sentence:
  • the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one
3 . former [ s]
Meaning (3):
- belonging to some prior time
Example in sentence:
  • erstwhile friend;
  • her quondam lover;
  • our former glory;
  • the once capital of the state
Meaning (4):
- belonging to the distant past
Example in sentence:
  • former generations;
  • in other times;
  • the early inhabitants of Europe
Meaning (5):
- (used especially of persons) of the immediate past
Example in sentence:
  • our late President is still very active;
  • the former president;
  • the previous occupant of the White House

Nearby Words:

for for- fora forage foraged forager foraging foralite foramen foramina

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