- preceding in time; prior or earlier: The first contestants were eliminated during a former stage in the proceedings.
- past, long past, or ancient: In former times, willow was consumed for pain.
- preceding in order; being the first of two: Our former manufacturing process was too costly.
- being the first mentioned of two (distinguished from latter): The former suggestion was preferred to the latter one.
- having once, or previously, been; erstwhile: Every former president receives a lifelong security detail.
- the first mentioned of two (distinguished from the latter): There are still economy and business class tickets available, but be sure to book the former if you're on a budget.
- a person or thing that forms or serves to form.
- a pupil in a particular form or grade, especially in a British secondary school: fifth formers.
- belonging to or occurring in an earlier time
- having been at a previous time
- denoting the first or first mentioned of two
- near the beginning
- the first or first mentioned of two: distinguished from latter
- a person or thing that forms or shapes
- a tool for giving a coil or winding the required shape, sometimes consisting of a frame on which the wire can be wound, the frame then being removed
