former

B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal

adj. the first of two people or things that you have just mentioned.

adj. referring to the first of two mentioned items or people; typically preceded by 'the' and often functions as a pronoun.

“He offered me a choice between a refund or a replacement, and I chose the former.”

“The report discussed both economic growth and social equity, arguing that the former cannot be sustained without the presence of the latter.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal

n. a person who makes or creates something.

n. an agent who shapes, molds, or creates a specific object or concept.

“He was known as a former of public opinion during the early years of the revolution.”

“As a former of young minds, the professor took his responsibility toward ethical instruction as seriously as his academic research.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English

n. a student in a particular year or class at school.

n. a student belonging to a specific 'form' or year group within the British secondary education system.

“The sixth-formers are currently preparing for their final university entrance exams.”

“The headmaster addressed the first-formers on their very first day, welcoming them to the traditions of the boarding school.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technology Technical

n. a tool or shape used to help make something else.

n. a structural component, template, or tool used to provide shape or support during a manufacturing process.

“The carpenter used a wooden former to create the curved arch for the doorway.”

“The aerospace engineers designed a lightweight composite former to maintain the aerodynamic profile of the wing during assembly.”