former

adjective

/ˈfɔːmə(r)/

/ˈfɔːrmər/

[only before noun]Idioms

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that existed in earlier times synonym past (3)
- This fine ruin was, in former times, a royal castle.
- This beautiful old building has been restored to its former glory.
- her former life as a Russian ballerina
Topics Historyb2
that used to have a particular position or status in the past synonym previous, one-time (1)
- the 41-year-old former world champion
- the former president/prime minister
- former South African president Nelson Mandela
- both current and former employees
- a former staff member
- my former boss/colleague/wife
- the countries of the former Soviet Union
- former Portuguese colonies
the former…
used to refer to the first of two things or people mentioned
- The former option would be much more sensible.
compare latter

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old English forma ‘first’ + -er.

former

noun

/ˈfɔːmə(r)/

/ˈfɔːrmər/

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the former

(plural the former)
the first of two things or people mentioned
- He had to choose between giving up his job and giving up his principles. He chose the former.
- However, the former are excluded.
compare latter
a person or thing that forms something
- opinion formers and policy makers

Word OriginMiddle English: from Old English forma ‘first’ + -er.

单词	former
释义	former adjective /ˈfɔːmə(r)/ /ˈfɔːrmər/ [only before noun]Idioms jump to other results that existed in earlier times synonym past (3) This fine ruin was, in former times, a royal castle. This beautiful old building has been restored to its former glory. her former life as a Russian ballerina Topics Historyb2 that used to have a particular position or status in the past synonym previous, one-time (1) the 41-year-old former world champion the former president/prime minister former South African president Nelson Mandela both current and former employees a former staff member my former boss/colleague/wife the countries of the former Soviet Union former Portuguese colonies the former… used to refer to the first of two things or people mentioned The former option would be much more sensible. compare latter Word OriginMiddle English: from Old English forma ‘first’ + -er. see also sixth-former Idioms be a shadow/ghost of your former self to not have the strength, influence, etc. that you used to have When his career ended, he became a shadow of his former self. former noun /ˈfɔːmə(r)/ /ˈfɔːrmər/ jump to other results the former (plural the former) the first of two things or people mentioned He had to choose between giving up his job and giving up his principles. He chose the former. However, the former are excluded. compare latter a person or thing that forms something opinion formers and policy makers Word OriginMiddle English: from Old English forma ‘first’ + -er.
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