- (prenominal)
existing or coming before something else in time or position; prior - (postpositive)
taking place or done too soon; premature - previous to ⇒
before; prior to
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
pre•vi•ous /ˈpriviəs/USA pronunciation
adj. [before a noun]
pre•vi•ous•ly, adv.: He previously worked for IBM.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- occurring before something else;
prior:The previous owner of this car was a little old lady.
- Idioms previous to, before;
prior to:Previous to moving here she lived in Chicago.
pre•vi•ous•ly, adv.: He previously worked for IBM.
pre•vi•ous
(prē′vē əs),USA pronunciation adj.
pre′vi•ous•ly, adv.
pre′vi•ous•ness, n.
- coming or occurring before something else;
prior:the previous owner. - Informal Termsdone, 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.
- Latin praevius going before, equivalent. to prae- pre- + vi(a) way + -us adjective, adjectival suffix
- 1615–25
pre′vi•ous•ness, n.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged earlier, former, preceding, foregoing.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'previous day' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):