former

Having had a particular job, position, or relationship in the past, but no longer having it.

• She is a former teacher.
• I met my former boss yesterday.
• Their former home is now a hotel.

Similar words: previous, past, ex-

Opposites: current

Common phrases: former president, former employee, former home

Referring to the first of two people or things already mentioned.

• Of tea and coffee, the former drink is cheaper.
• Between the two routes, the former option is shorter.
• The former example explains the rule more clearly than the latter one.

Similar words: first

Opposites: latter

Common phrases: former option, former case, former example

The first of two people or things already mentioned.

• I tried tea and coffee, and preferred the former.
• We could walk or drive; the former costs nothing.
• Of the two proposals, the former has more support.

Opposites: latter

Common phrases: the former, prefer the former, choose the former

A person who makes, creates, or establishes something.

• She was a skilled former of clay figures.
• The former of the society wanted it to help workers.
• They honoured him as the former of their company.

How to use it: former of something (He was the former of the society.)

Similar words: maker, creator, founder

Common phrases: former of something, a former