former

(noun) the first of two or the first mentioned of two. Example: "Tom and dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today."

(adj) referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several). Synonyms: former(prenominal) (vs. latter). Example: "The novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; i prefer the former version to the latter one."

(adj) belonging to some prior time. Synonyms: erstwhile(prenominal), former(prenominal), old, onetime(prenominal), one-time(prenominal), quondam(prenominal), sometime(prenominal). Examples: "Erstwhile friend." "Our former glory." "The once capital of the state." "Her quondam lover."

(adj) (used especially of persons) of the immediate past. Synonyms: former(prenominal), late(prenominal), previous(prenominal). Examples: "The former president." "Our late president is still very active." "The previous occupant of the white house."

(adj) belonging to the distant past. Synonyms: early(prenominal), former(prenominal), other(prenominal). Examples: "The early inhabitants of europe." "Former generations." "In other times."