former meaning and definition

FORMER noun

Definition of former (noun)

1. the first of two or the first mentioned of two
   • "Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today"
   • antonym: latter

FORMER adjective

Definition of former (adjective)

1. referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
   • "the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one"
   • antonym: latter
2. belonging to some prior time
   • "erstwhile friend"; "our former glory"; "the once capital of the state"; "her quondam lover"
   • synonyms: erstwhile, old, onetime, one-time, quondam, sometime
3. (used especially of persons) of the immediate past
   • "the former president"; "our late President is still very active"; "the previous occupant of the White House"
   • synonyms: late, previous
4. belonging to the distant past
   • "the early inhabitants of Europe"; "former generations"; "in other times"
   • synonyms: early, other