preceding

/pri:'si:diɳ/

Friendly

Certainly! The word "preceding" is an adjective that means something that comes before something else in time, order, or position.

Basic Explanation:

• Meaning: When we say "preceding," we are referring to something that happens or exists before something else.
• Usage: You can use "preceding" when you want to talk about events, times, or items that are earlier in a sequence.

Examples:

1. In Time: "The preceding chapter of the book was very exciting." (This means the chapter that comes right before the current one.)
2. In Order: "The preceding speaker provided some valuable information." (This refers to the speaker who spoke just before the current one.)

Advanced Usage:

• In more formal contexts, "preceding" can refer to items in a list or documents. For example: "Refer to the preceding paragraphs for more information." This indicates that the reader should look at the paragraphs that came before.

Word Variants:

• Precede (verb): To come before in time, order, or position. For example, "The introduction will precede the main content."
• Precedent (noun): An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances. For example, "The court's decision set a precedent for future cases."

Different Meaning:

• While "preceding" typically refers to something that comes before, it can also imply a comparison where something is judged based on what came before it.

Synonyms:

• Prior
• Earlier
• Previous
• Antecedent

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "preceding," but you might encounter phrases like "in the preceding weeks," which would mean in the weeks that came before.

Summary:

"Preceding" is a useful word to talk about things that come before something else. It can be used in many contexts, from everyday conversation to more formal writing.

Academic

Adjective

1. of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office
   • a retiring member of the board
2. existing or coming before

Synonyms

• past
• preceding
• retiring