Previously Definition, Examples & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：at an earlier time (previously)

previously 🔊

/ˈpriːviəsli/

adv.

At a time before now or before a specific point in time you are talking about.

Person looking at old photo album remembering previously happy times

at an earlier time 🔊

➕

/æt æn ˈɜːrliər taɪm/

adv.

Indicates that something occurred before the present moment or before a specific reference point in time.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Pre- (before) + via (road) + -ly; literally 'by a previous road'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'pre' = before, 'viously' sounds like 'view' — look at a previous view of time.

📖 Example

I previously worked in a bookstore, which is why I know a lot about different authors. 🔊 I previously worked in a bookstore, which is why I know a lot about different authors.

🔗 Collocations

previously mentioned – mentioned before in the discourse

previously owned – owned by someone else in the past

previously thought – believed or considered earlier

🔄 Synonyms

formerly (adv.) – at an earlier time, especially in the past

earlier (adv.) – at a time before something else

before (adv.) – at an earlier time; in the past

🚫 Antonyms

later (adv.) – at a subsequent or future time

afterwards (adv.) – after an event or time that has already been mentioned

subsequently (adv.) – after something has happened; later

🌱 Derivatives

previous (adj.) – existing or occurring before in time or order

📖 Cultural Story

From Latin 'praevius' (going before), composed of 'prae-' (before) and 'via' (way). Entered English via Anglo-French in the 15th century, now widely used in formal and informal contexts to indicate prior time.