previous
adj. · n.-
1 happening before (adj.) B1 Intermediate General-servicehappening or existing before something else.
occurring or existing prior to something else in time or order.
ExampleThe previous owner of the house left some old furniture in the attic.
ExampleThe researcher noted that the previous findings were inconsistent with the data collected during the most recent phase of the study.
UsageUsually placed before the noun it modifies.
PitfallIn the previous of the meeting, we had coffee.Before the meeting, we had coffee.Previous is an adjective, not a preposition. Use it to describe a noun (the previous meeting) rather than as a time marker on its own.
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2 too soon (adj.) C1 Advanced Informalacting or happening too quickly or before the right time.
acting or occurring prematurely or with undue haste.
ExampleI think you were a bit previous in quitting your job before finding a new one.
ExampleThe manager admitted he had been somewhat previous in announcing the merger before the final contracts were actually signed.
Teacher's tipThis sense is primarily British and is used to describe someone's judgment or actions as being too hasty.
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3 criminal record (n.) C2 Proficiency British English Informal Lawa person's past record of crimes.
a record of prior criminal convictions or a history of similar negative behavior.
ExampleThe police checked the suspect to see if he had any previous.
ExampleThe prosecution argued that the defendant's previous made it highly likely that he was involved in the recent string of robberies.
UsageUsed as an uncountable noun in this context.
Teacher's tipThis is a very specific British colloquialism; in formal or American contexts, use 'criminal record' or 'prior convictions'.
From Latin praevius.
- Adjectiveprevious
- Adverbpreviously