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Definition of predecessor

predecessor

/ˈprɛd.əˌsɛs.ɚ/
pred · e · ces · sor
Plural:predecessors
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predecessor Lexical Profile

predecessor Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who held a job, office, or position before the current holder.

Example

"The new director decided to continue several community programs initiated by her predecessor."

2

A thing that has been followed or replaced by another, such as an earlier model or version.

Example

"The latest smartphone features a much longer battery life than its predecessor."

3

An ancestor or forebear.

Example

"Like his predecessors, he spent his life farming the fertile valley."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

predator
predatory
predawn
predecessor
predefine
predeparture
predestination

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English from Old French predecesseur, from Late Latin praedecessor, a compound of prae ('before') and decessor ('retiring officer'), from decedere ('to depart').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Predecessor. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/predecessor
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