previous

1. 1

   Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.not-comparable

   • He is no better than the previous Prime Minister.
2. 2

   Premature; acting or occurring too soon.informal

   • I was a bit previous it turned out, as I worked short-handed for ten days before I could find another hand.

syn. foregoing · former · late · old

ant. future · following · next · succeeding

1. 1

   An existing criminal record (short for "previous convictions")UKcountableinformal

   • It turned out the shoplifter had a lot of previous.
2. 2

   A track record of similar behaviour, especially bad behaviour.UKcountableinformal

   • Mitigation will be limited given his previous and as he has already attended tackle school he cannot return.
3. 3

   A record of previous hostility or conflict (between people).UKcountableinformal

   • The two players refused to shake hands — there's a bit of previous there.