former Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the first of two or the first mentioned of two
    • Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today
  2. adjective referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several); I prefer the former version to the latter one"
    • the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967
  3. adjective satellite belonging to some prior time
    old; erstwhile; quondam; onetime; sometime; one-time.
    • erstwhile friend
    • our former glory
    • the once capital of the state
    • her quondam lover
  4. adjective satellite (used especially of persons) of the immediate past
    late; previous.
    • the former president
    • our late President is still very active
    • the previous occupant of the White House
  5. adjective satellite belonging to the distant past
    early; other.
    • the early inhabitants of Europe
    • former generations
    • in other times

WordNet

Form"er noun
Definitions
  1. One who forms; a maker; a creator.
  2. (Mech.) (a) A shape around which an article is to be shaped, molded, woven wrapped, pasted, or otherwise constructed. (b) A templet, pattern, or gauge by which an article is shaped. (c) A cutting die.
For"mer adjective
Etymology
A compar. due to OE. formest. See Foremost.
Definitions
  1. Preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior; earlier; hence, ancient; long past.
    For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age. Job. viii. 8.
    The latter and former rain. Hosea vi. 3.
  2. Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a discourse or argument.
  3. Earlier, as between two things mentioned together; first mentioned.
    A bad author deserves better usage than a bad critic; a man may be the former merely through the misfortune of an ill judgment; but he can not be latter without both that and an ill temper. Pope.
    Syn. -- Prior; previous; anterior; antecedent; preceding; foregoing.

Webster 1913