First Known Use: 1625
Dictionary
previous
adjective pre·vi·ous \ˈprē-vē-əs\
: existing or happening before the present time
: earlier in time or order
: immediately before in time or order
Full Definition of PREVIOUS
1
: going before in time or order : prior
2
: acting too soon : premature <somewhat previous in his conclusion>
— pre·vi·ous·ly adverb
— pre·vi·ous·ness noun
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Origin of PREVIOUS
Latin praevius leading the way, from prae- pre- + via way — more at way
Related to PREVIOUS
- Antonyms
- after, ensuing, following, later, posterior, subsequent, succeeding
Synonym Discussion of PREVIOUS
preceding, antecedent, foregoing, previous, prior, former, anterior mean being before. preceding usually implies being immediately before in time or in place <the preceding sentence>. antecedent applies to order in time and may suggest a causal relation <conditions antecedent to the revolution>. foregoing applies chiefly to statements <the foregoing remarks>. previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance <a child from a previous marriage> <a prior obligation>. former implies always a definite comparison or contrast with something that is latter <the former name of the company>. anterior applies to position before or ahead of usually in space, sometimes in time or order <the anterior lobe of the brain>.
Rhymes with PREVIOUS
PREVIOUSLY Defined for Kids
previous
adjective pre·vi·ous \ˈprē-vē-əs\
Definition of PREVIOUS for Kids
: going before in time or order : preceding <No previous experience is needed.>
— pre·vi·ous·ly adverb
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