Word
previous
Phoneticspre·vi·ous, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɹiviəs/
UK/pɹˈiːvɪəs/
Definitions
01happening before
B1 · Intermediate General-service
adj. happening or existing before something else.
adj. occurring or existing prior to something else in time or order.
日本語:前※
“The previous owner of the house left some old furniture in the attic.”
“The researcher noted that the previous findings were inconsistent with the data collected during the most recent phase of the study.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
Pitfall
In 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.
Antonyms
02too soon
C1 · Advanced Informal
adj. acting or happening too quickly or before the right time.
adj. acting or occurring prematurely or with undue haste.
“I think you were a bit previous in quitting your job before finding a new one.”
“The manager admitted he had been somewhat previous in announcing the merger before the final contracts were actually signed.”
Teaching tip
This sense is primarily British and is used to describe someone's judgment or actions as being too hasty.
Antonyms
03criminal record
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Law British English · Informal
n. a person's past record of crimes.
n. a record of prior criminal convictions or a history of similar negative behavior.
“The police checked the suspect to see if he had any previous.”
“The prosecution argued that the defendant's previous made it highly likely that he was involved in the recent string of robberies.”
Usage
Used as an uncountable noun in this context.
Teaching tip
This is a very specific British colloquialism; in formal or American contexts, use 'criminal record' or 'prior convictions'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “previous” in context.
Adjective
01. entirely previous
“The new findings are consistent with entirely previous research.”
adv + adj
Noun
02. previous record
“The police checked his previous record for similar offenses.”
adj + noun
03. previous years
04. previous studies
05. expenditure previous
06. have a previous conviction for
“The suspect has a previous conviction for armed robbery.”
07. on a previous occasion
“We have discussed this matter on a previous occasion.”
08. previous analysis
09. previous attempt
10. previous chapter
11. previous generations
12. previous hours
Etymology
From Latin praevius.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/previous
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0