English Reference
adverb

previously

adv.
US /ˈpɹiviəsɫi/ UK /pɹˈiːvɪəsli/ pre·vi·ous·ly

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    at a time before now or before the period you are talking about.

    at a time preceding the current moment or a specified point in the past.

    Simple

    The building was previously used as a factory before it became a museum.

    In context

    The candidate had previously served as the city's mayor, a role that provided her with significant experience in urban planning and public policy.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the main verb or at the beginning of a sentence.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate General-service Theatre

    used at the start of a TV show to remind you what happened in earlier episodes.

    used as an introductory marker in television broadcasting to signal a summary of prior narrative events.

    Simple

    Previously on 'The Lost Island', the survivors found a hidden cave.

    In context

    The 'previously on' segment was edited with high-intensity music to remind viewers of the cliffhanger from the season finale.

    Usage

    Almost exclusively used in the phrase 'Previously on...' followed by the show's title.

Usage previously consider · previously describe · previously discuss


From previous + -ly.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Very common
Updated