Discover everything about the word former in english:

Meanings, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one comprehensive guide.

Definition of former adjective in oxford advanced learner's dictionary.

Understanding the Context

Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

The meaning of former is coming before in time.

How to use former in a sentence.

Synonym discussion of former.

Key Insights

There are 11 meanings listed in oed's entry for the adjective former, five of which are labelled obsolete.

See 'meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Preceding in time;

Prior or earlier.

See examples of former used in a sentence.

Final Thoughts

You use former in front of a noun to indicate that the person you are talking about is no longer the thing referred to by the noun.

For example, the former chairman of a company used to be the.

Of or in an earlier time;

Before the present time or in the past:

The first of two people.