Pronunciations (2)
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/ˈfɔɹmɚ/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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/ˈfɔːmə/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
Adjective
Previous.
Usage- not-comparable
- Antonyms
- Examples
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A former president
the former East Germany
More examples (3)
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.
The former-slaves-turned-abolitionists Quobna Ottobah Cugoano and Olaudah Equiano were the chief organizers of the Sons of Africa.
Another ANC splinter party, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), led by former President Jacob Zuma appears to be on course to do well in KwaZulu-Natal, the eastern coastal province where Durban is located.
Noun
The first of aforementioned two items.
Usage- singular
- singular-only
- preceding with "the"
- Antonyms
- Related words
- Examples
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The former is a good idea but the latter is not.
We have two cars, a red one and a blue one. We won the former on a game show.
More examples (1)
Bananas are tastier than parsnips, but the latter’s nutritional value is higher than the former’s.
Noun
Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.
Usage- singular
- singular-only
- Examples
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Dave was the former of the company.
An object used to form something, such as a template, gauge, or cutting die.
Usage- singular
- singular-only
- Examples
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The brick arch was built using a wooden former.
Someone in, or of, a certain form (class).
Usage- UK usage
- singular
- singular-only
- used in combinations
- Examples
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Fifth-former.
Sixth-former.
Adjective
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
- Antonyms
- Examples
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the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one
belonging to some prior time
- Examples
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erstwhile friend
our former glory
More examples (2)
the once capital of the state
her quondam lover
(used especially of persons) of the immediate past
- Examples
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the former president
our late President is still very active
More examples (1)
the previous occupant of the White House
belonging to the distant past
- Examples
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the early inhabitants of Europe
former generations
More examples (1)
in other times
Noun
the first of two or the first mentioned of two
- Antonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today