former
adjective
1. referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
- the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one
2. belonging to some prior time
- our former glory
Similar word(s): past, erstwhile, old, onetime, quondam, sometime
3. (used especially of persons) of the immediate past
- the former president
Similar word(s): past, late, previous
4. belonging to the distant past
- former generations
Similar word(s): past, early, other
Sentences with former as an adjective:
- A former president; the former East Germany
- The former is a good idea but the latter is not.
noun
1. the first of two or the first mentioned of two
- Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today
Definition categories: link, first
Sentences with former as a noun:
- Dave was the former of the company.
- The brick arch was built using a wooden former.
- Fifth-former
- Sixth-former.