referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several); the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one'

the first of two or the first mentioned of two; Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today'

belonging to some prior time; erstwhile friend; our former glory; the once capital of the state; her quondam lover

[ Syn: erstwhile , old , onetime , one-time , quondam , sometime ]

(used especially of persons) of the immediate past; the former president; our late President is still very active; the previous occupant of the White House

[ Syn: late , previous ]

belonging to the distant past; the early inhabitants of Europe; former generations; in other times

[ Syn: early , other ]