Previous vs. Former — What's the Difference?

Existing or occurring before something else in time or order; prior

A former is an object, such as a template, gauge or cutting die, which is used to form something such as a boat's hull. Typically, a former gives shape to a structure that may have complex curvature.

(Informal) Acting, occurring, or done too soon; premature or hasty

One that forms; a maker or creator

(not comparable) Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.

A member of a school form

(informal) Premature; acting or occurring too soon.

The first of two persons or things mentioned

An existing criminal record (short for "previous convictions")

Relating to or taking place in the past

A track record of similar behaviour.

Having been so in the past

Going before in time; being or happening before something else; antecedent; prior; as, previous arrangements; a previous illness.

Being the first of two mentioned.

(used especially of persons) of the immediate past;

Previous.

Too soon or too hasty;

First of aforementioned two items. Used with the, often without a noun.

Just preceding something else in time or order;

Someone who forms something; a maker; a creator or founder.

An object used to form something, such as a template, gauge, or cutting die.

Someone in, or of, a certain form (class).

One who forms; a maker; a creator.

A shape around which an article is to be shaped, molded, woven wrapped, pasted, or otherwise constructed.

Preceding in order of time; antecedent; previous; prior; earlier; hence, ancient; long past.

Near the beginning; preceeding; as, the former part of a discourse or argument.

Earlier, as between two things mentioned together; first mentioned.

The first of two or the first mentioned of two;

Referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several);

Belonging to some prior time;

(used especially of persons) of the immediate past;

Of the distant past;