previous — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   He is no better than the previous Prime Minister.

   More examples (2)

   He stood transfixed before the unaccustomed view of London at night time, a vast panorama which reminded him […] of some wood engravings far off and magical, in a printshop in his childhood. They dated from the previous century and were coarsely printed on tinted paper, with tinsel outlining the design.

   Putin’s answered by simply stating he did not believe Ukraine had honored the previous ceasefires Moscow had unilaterally called, and that Kyiv has said Moscow never respected either.

2. Premature; acting or occurring too soon.

   Usage

   • Informal

   Examples

   I was a bit previous it turned out, as I worked short-handed for ten days before I could find another hand.

Noun

1. An existing criminal record (short for "previous convictions")

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Countable
   • Informal
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   form

   Examples

   It turned out the shoplifter had a lot of previous.

   Simmons had eight previouses: robberies, burglaries, a couple of felonious assaults.

2. A track record of similar behaviour, especially bad behaviour.

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Countable
   • Informal
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   For that Smalling will have to do his time grazing in the scapegoat’s paddock because his contribution here supplied hard evidence of a player lacking the football intelligence that is needed at the highest level. He has previous on that front and it is difficult to find any mitigation for the way he scythed down James Milner when the first rule for a defender on a yellow card is not to dive in unless it is absolutely necessary.

   Mitigation will be limited given his previous and as he has already attended tackle school he cannot return.

3. A record of previous hostility or conflict (between people).

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Countable
   • Informal
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   The two players refused to shake hands — there's a bit of previous there.

Adjective

1. just preceding something else in time or order

   Synonyms

   old

   Examples

   the previous owner

   my old house was larger

2. (used especially of persons) of the immediate past

   Synonyms

   formerlate

   Examples

   the former president

   our late President is still very active

   More examples (1)

   the previous occupant of the White House

3. too soon or too hasty

   Synonyms

   premature

   Examples

   our condemnation of him was a bit previous

   a premature judgment