Spanish Conversation · Level 130
60 words
Spanish word
precedente
Pronunciation
IPA/pɾeθeˈðente/
Meaning
- adjectiveprevious
Example
La reunión precedente fue más larga.
The previous meeting was longer.
More examples
El día precedente llovió toda la tarde.
The previous day it rained all afternoon.
Core concept
An earlier event used as the reference point for what follows.
Common phrases
el día precedente
the previous day
el año precedente
the previous year
Similar words
anterior: Occurs earlier in order within a sentence, list, or sequence.
pasado: Happened in the past relative to the present.
previo: Occurs directly before a particular event or action.
Definition in Spanish
Describe algo que ocurrió antes y que sirve como punto de referencia para lo que sigue.
Word origin
Derived from Latin praecedere 'to go before' (prae- 'before' + cedere 'go'), developing into an adjective for something that precedes and sets a benchmark.
Usage tips
- English 'precedent' is mainly a legal noun, whereas Spanish precedente functions as a formal adjective and also appears as a noun in legal contexts.