adj · noun · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American:/ˈpɹi.vi.əs/
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈpɹiː.vɪəs/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:P R IY1 V IY0 AH0 S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
He is no better than the previous Prime Minister.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Premature; acting or occurring too soon.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
An existing criminal record (short for "previous convictions")
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, countable, informal, uncountable
Examples
It turned out the shoplifter had a lot of previous.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: form
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A track record of similar behaviour, especially bad behaviour.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, countable, informal, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
A record of previous hostility or conflict (between people).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, countable, informal, uncountable
Examples
The two players refused to shake hands — there's a bit of previous there.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Latin praevius.
Across languages
Translations
95 source translations are retained for this English entry.