former

7 definitions • 12 examples

of or in an earlier time; before the present time or in the past:

his former wife

a former employer

the former president of the United States

The luxury apartments are in a former factory.

former glory The painting was then restored to its former glory (= returned to its original good condition).

former self It was a long time after the accident before he seemed like his former self (= behaved in the way he had before).

the first of two people, things, or groups previously mentioned:

Of the two suggestions, I prefer the former.

a student of the stated class group:

sixth-formers (= students usually aged 16–18)

of an earlier time, but not now:

The former president lives on his ranch.

the first of two people, things, or groups previously mentioned:

Of the two suggestions, I prefer the former.

used to describe something that existed or happened in the past

used to describe someone who had a particular position or job in the past:

former chairman/director/president He's a Washington-based health policy consultant and former insurance executive.

former colleague/employee/employer She was under investigation for allegedly defrauding her former employer out of $600,000.