Previous Meaning
/ˈpɹi.vi.əs/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjPrior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.
adjPremature; acting or occurring too soon.
Sentence Examples
I would like to retract my previous statement.
The evidence corresponds to his previous statement.
No previous experience is necessary for this job.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ owner of the house had installed new windows last year.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Her ____ experience in project management made her the ideal candidate for the senior role.
Word Origin & History
From Latin praevius.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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."
— 1963, Margery Allingham, “Foreword”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
"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."
— 2025 May 10, Nick Paton Walsh, “Ukraine ceasefire call is aimed at forcing Putin to reveal his war goals to Trump”, in CNN:
"I was a bit previous it turned out, as I worked short-handed for ten days before I could find another hand."
— 2010, Gerald Lynch, Roughnecks, Drillers, and Tool Pushers:
"Simmons had eight previouses: robberies, burglaries, a couple of felonious assaults."
— 1994, William J. Caunitz, Three complete novels: Black Sand; Suspects; One Police Plaza:
"For that Smalling will have to do his time grazing in the scapegoat’s paddock because his contribution here supplied hard evidence of a player lacking the football intelligence that is needed at the highest level. He has previous on that front and it is difficult to find any mitigation for the way he scythed down James Milner when the first rule for a defender on a yellow card is not to dive in unless it is absolutely necessary."
— November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, “Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United”, in guardian.co.uk:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ owner of the house had installed new windows last year.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Her ____ experience in project management made her the ideal candidate for the senior role.