adjective
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(prenominal) existing or coming before something else in time or position; prior
-
informal (postpositive) taking place or done too soon; premature
-
before; prior to
Other Word Forms
- previously adverb
- previousness noun
Etymology
Origin of previous
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin praevius “going before,” equivalent to prae- pre- + vi(a) “way” + -us adjective suffix
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Normally, the redrawing of the country’s congressional districts takes place once every 10 years, following the census and accounting for population changes over the previous decade.
From Los Angeles Times
At any rate, if previous midterm outcomes are any guide, the numbers being posted by Democrats in special elections so far in the 2026 cycle are impossible to ignore.
From Salon
Only in five previous league seasons has it been bigger by the end of a campaign.
From BBC
It was an impressive way to launch his Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally era - which promises a much clubbier sound than his previous work.
From BBC
Davies said: "We couldn't identify a motive in this case. There was no previous bad feeling."
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
