former

• وصف لما يقع قبل كل غيره في الترتيب أو الزمان أو المكانة أو الأهمية.

Describing something that comes before all others in sequence, time, order, rank, or importance.

1. Sequence in orderA1formal

   Coming before all others in time, order, or importance.

   الأول

   • This is the first chapter of the book.
   • He won the first prize in the competition.
   • She was the first person to arrive.

   المرادفاتchiefforemostinitialleadingpremierprimaryprimeprincipaltop

   الأضدادfinallast

2. Initial or earliestA1formal

   Referring to the earliest stage or beginning of something.

   الأول

   • Her first impression of the city was positive.
   • He made his first attempt at painting last year.
   • The first signs of spring are appearing.

   المرادفاتbeginninginitialintroductoryopeningoriginalpremierprimary

   الأضدادfinallastlatestterminal

• يُستخدم للدلالة على ما كان موجودًا أو حدث في الماضي، أو على الأول من شيئين مذكورين.

Describes something that existed or happened in the past, or the first of two things mentioned.

1. First of two mentionedB2formal

   Referring to the first of two things or persons previously mentioned.

   الأول من الاثنين

   • Between coffee and tea, I prefer the former.
   • The former option is more cost-effective.
   • She chose the former candidate over the latter.

   المرادفاتfirst

   الأضدادlatter

2. Previous or earlierB1formal

   Belonging to a previous time or period.

   سابق

   • He is a former president of the company.
   • The former building was demolished last year.
   • She visited her former school for the reunion.

   المرادفاتerstwhileforegoingoldpastprecedingpreviousprior

   الأضدادcurrentlatterpresent

3. Immediate pastB1formal

   Used especially of persons to refer to the immediate predecessor in a role.

   السابق

   • The former manager left the company last month.
   • Our former neighbor moved to another city.
   • The former champion retired after the match.

   المرادفاتlastprecedingpreviousprior

4. Distant pastB2formal

   Belonging to a time long ago; ancient or historical.

   قديم

   • The former era was marked by great discoveries.
   • In former times, people traveled by horse and carriage.
   • The former civilization left behind impressive ruins.

   المرادفاتancientbygonehistoricaloldenpast

   الأضدادcontemporarycurrentfuturemodernnewpresentrecent

• اسم يشير إلى الأول من شيئين مذكورين أو إلى الشخص أو الشيء السابق، ويُستعمل للدلالة على الماضي أو ما كان في زمن سابق.

A noun referring to the first of two people or things mentioned, or the first mentioned of two.

1. The first mentioned of twoB2formal

   Refers to the first person or thing mentioned in a pair, as opposed to the latter.

   الأول

   • Between coffee and tea, I prefer the former.
   • The former is more expensive than the latter.
   • She chose the former option over the latter.

   المرادفاتfirst

   الأضدادlatter