The definition for previous

[pree-vee-uh s] /ˈpri vi əs/

adjective

coming or occurring before something else; prior:

the previous owner.

Informal. done, occurring, etc., before the proper time; premature:

Aren't you a little previous with that request?

Idioms

previous to, before; prior to:

Previous to moving here she lived in Chicago.

Origin

1615-25; < Latin praevius going before, equivalent to prae- pre- + vi(a) way + -us adj. suffix

Related forms

previously, adverb

previousness, noun

Synonyms

1. earlier, former, preceding, foregoing.

Examples from the web for previous

More copies exist of one of his works than of all previous artworks by all prior artists.
previous research reported that the risk of suicide decreases with increasing coffee consumption.
In previous entries of my sabbatical diary, one topic that arose was how to handle expansive periods of unstructured time.
It would have stopped counting non-violent, non-serious crimes as third strikes, unless a previous strike was heinous.
previous research showed that people tend to find typical things more attractive, from watches to birds to faces.
There were a couple of issues with my previous calculation of the best fractional representation of pi.
See the many other discussions of this in previous and current threads.
previous experiments had expected elephants to pick up tools using their trunks to solve problems.
Don't forget to check out previous years' gift guides.
previous experience in a clinical and/or teaching environment preferred.

British Dictionary definitions for previous

/ˈpriːvɪəs/

adjective

(prenominal) existing or coming before something else in time or position; prior

(postpositive) (informal) taking place or done too soon; premature

previous to, before; prior to

Derived Forms

previously, adverb
previousness, noun

Word Origin

C17: from Latin praevius leading the way, from prae before + via way

Word Origin and History for previous

adj.

1620s, from Latin praevius "going before," from prae "before" (see pre-) + via "road" (see via). Related: Previously.

Slang definitions & phrases for previous

noun

An earlier conviction: Kid looks clean; no previous (1935+)