Former is an adjective that means:
1. Having previously been a particular thing
2. Of or occurring in the past
3. The first of two things mentioned
As a noun, former can refer to:
1. A person or thing that forms something
2. A tool for giving shape to something
Common phrases:
- The former president
- Former colleague
- In former times
former这个词儿可有意思了，咱们掰开了揉碎了说：
1. 当形容词用的时候，意思是"前任的"、"以前的"，比如说"former boss"就是"前任老板"
2. 也可以表示"过去的"、"从前的"，比如"in former days"就是"在从前"
3. 在提到两样东西的时候，指"前者"，跟"latter"(后者)是一对儿
当名词用的时候：
1. 指"构成者"、"形成者"，这个用法比较少见
2. 指"模具"、"成型工具"，这个在工厂里常用
常见搭配：
- 前任总统(the former president)
- 前同事(former colleague)
- 从前(in former times)
小贴士：这个词儿在简历里特别常见，比如"former position"就是"前任职位"，可别整错了！