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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.
Collocations
revert to the previous versiongo back to an earlier editionupdate from the previous versionupgrade from an earlier edition
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In software, 'previous version' often implies a functional state, while 'old version' may imply outdated or deprecated status.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
adjectiveversion
a particular form or edition of something
nounEnglish Dictionary