previousadjective [ before noun ]
uk/ˈpriː.vi.əs/us/ˈpriː.vi.əs/B1 happening or existing before something or someone else:
The previous owner of the house had built an extension on the back.
Training is provided, so no previous experience is required for the job.
He has two daughters from a previous marriage.
More examples
- He took over from the previous headmaster in February.
- Sales this year exceeded the total for the two previous years.
- I'd just like to comment on what your previous caller was saying.
- He has a long record of previous convictions for similar offences.
- Her previous secretary only lasted a month.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Before, after and already
- afore
- after
- afterwards
- already
- ante
- as it is idiom
- following
- formerly
- front
- gone
- heretofore
- immediate
- in advance idiom
- in advance of sth/sb idiom
- later
- shortly
- subsequent
- successor
- thereafter
- this
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previousnoun [ U ]
uk/ˈpriː.vi.əs/us/ˈpriː.vi.əs/UK slang If someone has previous, they have been found guilty of one or more crimes in the past. Previous is short for "previous convictions":
He's got previous for stealing from his employer.