Adjective ˈfɔːmə(R ˈfɔːrmər Fine Ruin Times Royal Castle

• this fine ruin was, in former times, a royal castle.
• this beautiful old building has been restored to its former glory.
• her former life as a russian ballerina
• the 41-year-old former world champion

former

1. that existed in earlier times
• SYNONYM past (3)
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/past_1#past_sng_3
• This fine ruin was, in former times, a royal castle.
• This beautiful old building has been restored to its former glory.
• her former life as a Russian ballerina
2. that used to have a particular position or status in the past
• SYNONYM previous
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/previous
• the 41-year-old former world champion
• the former president/prime minister
• former South African president Nelson Mandela
• both current and former employees
• a former staff member
• my former boss/colleague/wife
• the countries of the former Soviet Union
• former Portuguese colonies
3. used to refer to the first of two things or people mentioned
• COMPARE latter
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/latter_2
• The former option would be much more sensible.
4. to not have the strength, influence, etc. that you used to have
• When his career ended, he became a shadow of his former self.

Word Origin

• Middle English: from Old English forma ‘first’ + -er.