former

• Algo que está antes que todos los demás en una secuencia, tiempo, orden, rango o importancia; que precede a los demás en posición o jerarquía.

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.

   Primero en orden o tiempo

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

   Sinónimoschiefforemostinitialleadingpremierprimaryprimeprincipaltop

   Antónimosfinallast

2. Initial or earliestA1formal

   Referring to the earliest stage or beginning of something.

   primero/primera (inicial o más temprano)

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

   Sinónimosbeginninginitialintroductoryopeningoriginalpremierprimary

   Antónimosfinallastlatestterminal

• Describe algo que existió o sucedió en el pasado, o el primero de dos elementos mencionados anteriormente.

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.

   primero de los dos mencionados

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

   Sinónimosfirst

   Antónimoslatter

2. Previous or earlierB1formal

   Belonging to a previous time or period.

   anterior, previo

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

   Sinónimoserstwhileforegoingoldpastprecedingpreviousprior

   Antónimoscurrentlatterpresent

3. Immediate pastB1formal

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

   inmediatamente anterior (cargo)

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

   Sinónimoslastprecedingpreviousprior

4. Distant pastB2formal

   Belonging to a time long ago; ancient or historical.

   antiguo, remoto

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

   Sinónimosancientbygonehistoricaloldenpast

   Antónimoscontemporarycurrentfuturemodernnewpresentrecent

• Sustantivo que se refiere a la primera de dos personas o cosas mencionadas, o lo que precede en el tiempo o en una secuencia.

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.

   el primero (de dos)

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

   Sinónimosfirst

   Antónimoslatter