Etimology
Inherited from Middle English former, comparative of forme (“first”), from Old English forma (“first”), descended from Proto-Germanic *frumô. Parallel to prior (via Latin), as comparative form from same Proto-Indo-European root. Related to first and fore (thence before), from Proto-Germanic.
adjective
former (comparative form only)
Previous.
First of aforementioned two items. Used with the, often without a noun.
Examples
Synonyms: erstwhile, sometime, whilom, wont-to-be; see also Thesaurus:former
Antonyms: next; see also Thesaurus:subsequent
A former president
the former East Germany
At half-past nine on this Saturday evening, the parlour of the Salutation Inn, High Holborn, contained most of its customary visitors. […] In former days every tavern of repute kept such a room for its own select circle, a club, or society, of habitués, who met every evening, for a pipe and a cheerful glass.
The former-slaves-turned-abolitionists Quobna Ottobah Cugoano and Olaudah Equiano were the chief organizers of the Sons of Africa.
Antonym: latter
The former is a good idea but the latter is not.
We have two cars, a red one and a blue one. We won the former on a game show.
Bananas are tastier than parsnips, but the latter’s nutritional value is higher than the former’s.
Etimology
Inherited from Middle English formere. By surface analysis, form + -er.
noun
former (plural formers)
Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.
An object used to form something, such as a template, gauge, or cutting die.
(chiefly British, used in combinations) Someone in, or of, a certain form (class).
Examples
Dave was the former of the company.
The brick arch was built using a wooden former.
Fifth-former.
Sixth-former.