former

• 指在顺序、时间、次序、等级或重要性上位于所有其他事物之前的。

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.

   第一

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

   同义词chiefforemostinitialleadingpremierprimaryprimeprincipaltop

   反义词finallast

2. Initial or earliestA1formal

   Referring to the earliest stage or beginning of something.

   最初的

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

   同义词beginninginitialintroductoryopeningoriginalpremierprimary

   反义词finallastlatestterminal

• 描述过去存在或发生过的事物，或指两个被提及对象中的第一个。

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.

   前者

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

   同义词first

   反义词latter

2. Previous or earlierB1formal

   Belonging to a previous time or period.

   以前的

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

   同义词erstwhileforegoingoldpastprecedingpreviousprior

   反义词currentlatterpresent

3. Immediate pastB1formal

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

   前任

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

   同义词lastprecedingpreviousprior

4. Distant pastB2formal

   Belonging to a time long ago; ancient or historical.

   古代的

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

   同义词ancientbygonehistoricaloldenpast

   反义词contemporarycurrentfuturemodernnewpresentrecent

• 名词，指两个被提及的人或事物中的第一个，或先提到的那个。也可指以前担任某职务的人或从前存在的事物。

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.

   前者

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

   同义词first

   反义词latter