previous
adjectivenouncommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈpɹiː.vɪəs//
- United States//ˈpɹi.vi.əs//
Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.
adjective
- 1
Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.
He is no better than the previous Prime Minister.
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
informalPremature; acting or occurring too soon.
I was a bit previous it turned out, as I worked short-handed for ten days before I could find another hand.
Etymology
From Latin praevius.
noun
- 1
informalAn existing criminal record (short for "previous convictions")
It turned out the shoplifter had a lot of previous.
Simmons had eight previouses: robberies, burglaries, a couple of felonious assaults.
- 2
informalA track record of similar behaviour, especially bad behaviour.
Mitigation will be limited given his previous and as he has already attended tackle school he cannot return.
- 3
informalA record of previous hostility or conflict (between people).
The two players refused to shake hands — there's a bit of previous there.
Forms
- plural
- previouses
- comparative
- more previous
- superlative
- most previous
previous · Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.
previously · At an earlier time; already.prey · That which is or may be seized by animals to be devoured.price · The cost required to gain possession of something.