[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/previously/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [P](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/p/) / previously

# previously

adverb (previously)

«previously» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Previously means before, at an earlier time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/previously/#m1)
2. Previously means before the time being talked about. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/previously/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and TV, «Previously on…» reminds you what happened before. In maths and formal exam language «the number previously found» means the earlier answer. In everyday life «previously owned» means second-hand. Everyday speech says «before» or «earlier».

### Examples

- She had previously lived in Canada. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/previously/#x1)
- As previously explained, the test is on Friday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/previously/#x2)
- (formal) Use the value previously calculated to find the total. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/previously/#x3)
- The house was previously a shop. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/previously/#x4)
- I had never previously been on a plane. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/previously/#x5)
- Previously, the park closed at five; now it closes at six. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/previously/#x6)
- In the course of conversation he had forgotten all that had happened previously. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/previously/#x7)

### Note

Adverb from «previous». Same as «before», «earlier». In maths, «previously» points back to an earlier answer or starting amount: «there were 5 more than previously» means add 5 to the earlier number.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «previously» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/previously/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«previously» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/previously.html) on Mova free.