previous version

/ˈpriːviəs ˈvɜːrʒən/
earlier edition

The app crashed after the update, so I had to revert to the previous version.

The earlier edition of the app worked better before the update.


formal

An earlier edition or iteration of a document, software, or product.

The previous version of the software had fewer bugs.

The earlier edition of the program was more stable.

Please check the previous version of the contract for comparison.

Review the earlier edition of the agreement to see the changes.

Commonly used in software development, legal documents, and product updates.

Pro Tip

Avoid redundancy

Use 'previous version' instead of 'older version' when referring to software or documents to sound more precise.

Gold Rule

Context matters

In software, 'previous version' often implies a functional state, while 'old version' may imply outdated or deprecated status.

Word Origin

From 'previous' (Latin 'praevius', meaning 'going before') and 'version' (Latin 'versio', meaning 'a turning'). The phrase emerged in the mid-20th century with the rise of software and document revisions.

Usage Notes

Used in technical, business, and legal contexts to refer to an earlier state of a file, program, or document. Often paired with verbs like 'revert', 'compare', or 'restore'.

Word Breakdown

previous
earlier in time or order
adjective
+
version
a particular form or edition of something
noun
English Dictionary