previously

UK: /ˈpriːviəsli/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•vi•ous /ˈpriviəs/   adj. [before a noun]

1. occurring before something else;
   prior:
   The previous owner of this car was a little old lady.

Idioms

2. Idioms previous to, before;
   prior to:
   Previous to moving here she lived in Chicago.

pre•vi•ous•ly, adv.: 

He previously worked for IBM.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•vi•ous  (prē′vē əs), adj. 

1. coming or occurring before something else;
   prior:
   the previous owner.
2. Informal Terms done, occurring, etc., before the proper time;
   premature:
   Aren't you a little previous with that request?
3. 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•ly, adv. 
pre′vi•ous•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. earlier, former, preceding, foregoing.