Definition
Meaning of 'former'
Meaning of 'former' (Webster Dictionary)
1. Former 
[ a.]
- Preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior;
earlier; hence, ancient; long past. [ a.]- 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. [ n.]- 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]
[ n]Meaning (1):
- the first of two or the first mentioned of two
- 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]
[ a]Meaning (2):
- referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
- 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]
[ s]Meaning (3):
- belonging to some prior time
- 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
- 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
- (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
See 'former' also in:
Recent Article
Categories
- Business Studies
- Banking & Finance
- Management & Organization Studies
- HRM & Labor Studies
- Management Information System
- Accounting & Auditing
- Marketing & Public Relations
- Entrepreneurship & Small Business
- Psychology & Behavioral Science
- Computer Programming
- Automotive Engineering
- Computer Networking
- Medical & Health Science
- Microbiology