Meaning & Definition of word "Former"

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    Former

    /ˈfɔːrmər/

    noun:

    • 1. a person who previously held a particular position.
      • Example: He is a former athlete who now coaches young players.
    • 2. an object that shapes material, such as a mold.
      • Example: The craftsman used a former to shape the clay.

    adjective:

    • 1. having previously been; earlier or previous in time.
      • Example: She met her former teachers at the reunion.
    • 2. of, relating to, or occurring in the past.
      • Example: The former president addressed the nation.
    • 3. used to denote a first-mentioned item in a comparison.
      • Example: In the debate, the former proposal seemed more feasible than the latter.

    Etymology

    Middle English: from Old French 'former', from Latin 'formare' meaning 'to form'

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    former president:

    the person who previously held the position of president

    former glory:

    a state of greatness that has been lost

    former lovers:

    two people who were in a romantic relationship but are no longer together

    Related Words

    latter:

    the second of two persons or things mentioned

    ex:

    a person with whom one has had a romantic relationship in the past

    Slang Meanings of former