What does former mean in English? Meaning of former definition and abbreviation with examples.
Meaning of "former": the first of two or the first mentioned of two
Noun
Meaning: the first of two or the first mentioned of twoExample: Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered todaySynonyms: formerHypernyms: first
number oneAntonyms: latterPronunciation in US: /ˈfɔɹmɚ/
Meaning of "former": referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
Adjective
Meaning: referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)Example: the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter oneSynonyms: formerAntonyms: latterPronunciation in US: /ˈfɔɹmɚ/
Meaning of "former": belonging to some prior time
Adjective
Meaning: belonging to some prior timeExample: erstwhile friend
our former glory
the once capital of the state
her quondam loverSynonyms: erstwhile
former
old
one-time
onetime
quondam
sometimeSimilar: pastPronunciation in US: /ˈfɔɹmɚ/
Meaning of "former": (used especially of persons) of the immediate past
Adjective
Meaning: (used especially of persons) of the immediate pastExample: the former president
our late President is still very active
the previous occupant of the White HouseSynonyms: former
late
previousSimilar: pastPronunciation in US: /ˈfɔɹmɚ/
Meaning of "former": belonging to the distant past
Adjective
Meaning: belonging to the distant pastExample: the early inhabitants of Europe
former generations
in other timesSynonyms: early
former
otherSimilar: pastPronunciation in US: /ˈfɔɹmɚ/
Adjective: Previous. A former president; the former East Germany 1893, Walter Besant, The Ivory Gate, chapter III: At half-past nine on this Saturday evening, the parlour of the Salutation Inn, High Holborn, contained most of its customary visitors. […] In former days every tavern of repute kept such a room for its own select circle, a club, or society, of habitués, who met every evening, for a pipe and a cheerful glass.1893, Walter Besant, The Ivory Gate, chapter III: At half-past nine on this Saturday evening, the parlour of the Salutation Inn, High Holborn, contained most of its customary visitors. […] In former days every tavern of repute kept such a room for its own select circle, a club, or society, of habitués, who met every evening, for a pipe and a cheerful glass. First of aforementioned two items. Used with the, often without a noun. The former is a good idea but the latter is not.Synonyms:
old, departed, erstwhile, anterior, antecedent, ancient, bygone, past, prior, above, first, aforesaid, earlier, foregoing, late, once, one-time, preceding, sometime, quondam, aforementioned, ex-, long ago, long gone, of yore, whilom,
Antonyms:
after, modern, current, ensuing, following, future, prospective, subsequent, new, present, succeeding,
