VocabDictionary

previously

/หˆpriห.vi.ษ™s.li/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.adverb

At a time or on an occasion before the one now being considered or discussed.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œThe building had previously been used as a textile mill before being converted into luxury apartments.โ€
  • โ€œShe had previously worked in marketing for ten years before deciding to pursue a career in nursing.โ€
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โ€œpreviouslyโ€.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

The word is formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'previous'. 'Previous' originates from the Latin 'praevius', meaning 'going before', which is a combination of 'prae' (before) and 'via' (way or path). It has been used in English since the early 17th century to denote priority in time.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of the prefix 'PRE-', which always means 'before', as in 'pre-game' or 'pre-heat'.

Frequently Asked Questions About โ€œpreviouslyโ€

1. What is the meaning of โ€œpreviouslyโ€ in English?

In English, previously (adverb) is defined as: โ€œAt a time or on an occasion before the one now being considered or discussed.โ€.

2. How do you use โ€œpreviouslyโ€ in a sentence?

โ€œThe building had previously been used as a textile mill before being converted into luxury apartments.โ€

3. What are English synonyms of โ€œpreviouslyโ€?

Common synonyms include:formerly,earlier,beforehand,hitherto,aforetime

4. What is the etymology and word origin of โ€œpreviouslyโ€?

The word is formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'previous'. 'Previous' originates from the Latin 'praevius', meaning 'going before', which is a combination of 'prae' (before) and 'via' (way or path). It has been used in English since the early 17th century to denote priority in time.