former

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈfɔrmɚ/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈfɔːmə/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

Positive former

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. (usually before a noun) A former $x$ (e.g., president, country, wife) used to be the $x$ but is not anymore.

   Former president Clinton was giving a speech at the school.

2. The former is the first of two things that have already been talked about.

   I've taught in high school and university. The former (i.e., high school) is more exciting, but university is less stressful.