predecessor
PRED-uh-ses-er
/ˈpred.əˌses.ər/
A person who held a job or office before the current holder.
Can also refer to a thing (like a machine or model) that has been followed or replaced by another.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'praedecessor,' which combined 'prae' (before) and 'decessor' (one who retires or leaves). It literally describes someone who left the spot before you arrived.
Word relationships
- forerunner: Forerunner is more general and can apply to signs or omens; predecessor is strictly about roles or models.
- successor: A successor is the person who comes after.
Commonly confused with
- ancestor: An ancestor is a biological relative from the past; a predecessor is someone who held your job before you.
Collocations
- immediate predecessor
- distinguished predecessor
- unlike one's predecessor
Example sentences
- "The new CEO has a very different management style than her predecessor." Corporate leadership.
- "The latest smartphone model is much faster than its predecessor." Technology.
Memory hook
Pre (before) + decessor (one who deceased/left the role). The one who came before.
When not to use
Don't use it for an ancestor in a family tree (use 'ancestor'); use it for roles and positions.
Fun facts
- In math, a predecessor is the number that comes immediately before another (e.g., 4 is the predecessor of 5).
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