previous
Definitions
Existing or occurring before in time or order; earlier, prior
以前的，先前的；之前的
(informal) Acting too hastily or prematurely
（非正式）操之过急的，过早的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpre- (before, in front) + vi (via, 'road') + -ous (adj.) = 'being ahead on the road.' What lies further along a path you've already walked is what you passed earlier — so previous simply means coming before, prior. The road image is invisible today, but 'previous experience' is still 'what came before on the way.'
Root via still carries 14 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.previous experience既往经验
- 2.previous year上一年
- 3.the previous owner前任业主
- 4.previous convictions前科
Example Sentences
- 1.
She had no previous experience in marketing.
- 2.
As I mentioned in my previous email, the deadline is Friday.
- 3.
Don't be too previous — wait until the results are in.
Easily Confused
previous vs former — both mean 'earlier,' but previous is about position in a sequence (the previous chapter = the one just before this), while former contrasts two states (her former job = the one she no longer has). Use former when something has changed status; previous when you just mean 'the one before.'