The difference between Previously and Prior

When used as adverbs, previously means at an earlier time, whereas prior means previously.


Prior is also noun with the meaning: a high-ranking member of a monastery, usually lower in rank than an abbot.

Prior is also adjective with the meaning: advance.

check bellow for the other definitions of Previously and Prior

  1. Previously as an adverb:

    At an earlier time.

  1. Prior as an adjective:

    Advance; previous; coming before.

    Examples:

    "I had no prior knowledge you were coming."

  2. Prior as an adjective:

    Former, previous.

    Examples:

    "His prior residence was smaller than his current one."

  1. Prior as an adverb (colloquial):

    Previously.

    Examples:

    "The doctor had known three months prior."

  1. Prior as a noun:

    A high-ranking member of a monastery, usually lower in rank than an abbot.

  2. Prior as a noun (historical):

    A chief magistrate in Italy.

  3. Prior as a noun (US, law enforcement):

    A previous arrest or criminal conviction on someone's record.

  4. Prior as a noun (statistics):

    In Bayesian inference, a prior probability distribution, one based on information or belief before additional data is collected.

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