previous and prior imply existing or occurring earlier, but prior often adds an implication of greater importance.

PREVIOUS definition: coming or occurring before something else; prior. See examples of previous used in a sentence.

If someone has previous, they have been found guilty of one or more crimes in the past. Previous is short for "previous convictions ": He's got previous for stealing from his employer.

pre•vi•ous (prē′ vē əs), adj. coming or occurring before something else; prior: the previous owner. Informal Terms done, occurring, etc., before the proper time; premature: Aren't you a little …

Dec 20, 2025 · (informal, UK) A record of previous hostility or conflict (between people). The two players refused to shake hands — there's a bit of previous there.

A previous event or thing is one that happened or existed before the one that you are talking about. I'm a lot happier than I was in my previous job. He has no previous convictions.

1. coming or occurring before something else; prior: the previous owner. 2. Informal. done, occurring, etc., before the proper time; premature: Aren't you a little previous with that request?

There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the word previous, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

PREVIOUS meaning: 1 : existing or happening before the present time; 2 : earlier in time or order

Definition of previous adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.