/ ˈpriːviəs; NAmE / adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
happening or existing before the event or object that you are talking about
SYN prior :
No previous experience is necessary for this job.
The car has only had one previous owner.
She is his daughter from a previous marriage.
I was unable to attend because of a previous engagement.
The judge will take into consideration any previous convictions.
2.
immediately before the time you are talking about
SYN preceding :
I couldn't believe it when I heard the news. I'd only seen him the previous day.
► pre·vi·ous·ly adverb :
The building had previously been used as a hotel.
I had visited them three days previously.
► pre·vi·ous to preposition :
Previous to this, she'd always been well.
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from Latin praevius going before (from prae before + via way) + -ous .