Definition of former

"former" in the noun sense

1. former

the first of two or the first mentioned of two

"Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today"

"former" in the adjective sense

1. former

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several I prefer the former version to the latter one"

"the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967

2. erstwhile, former, old, onetime, one-time, quondam, sometime

belonging to some prior time

"erstwhile friend"

"our former glory"

"the once capital of the state"

"her quondam lover"

3. former, late, previous

used especially of persons) of the immediate past

"the former president"

"our late President is still very active"

"the previous occupant of the White House"

4. early, former, other

belonging to the distant past

"the early inhabitants of Europe"

"former generations"

"in other times"

Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)

Princeton University "About WordNet®."
WordNet®. Princeton University. 2010.


View WordNet® License

Quotations for former

Deserted, at his utmost need,
By those his former bounty fed,
On the bare earth exposed be lies,
With not a friend to close his eyes. [ John Dryden ]

Fallen, fallen, fallen, fallen.
Fallen from his high estate.
And welt'ring in his blood;
Deserted at his utmost need.
But those his former bounty fed;
On the bare earth exposed he lies,
With not a friend to close his eyes. [ Dryden ]

Those eyes that were so bright, love,
Have now a dimmer shine;
But what they've lost in light, love.
Is what they gave to mine.
And, still those orbs reflect, love,
The beams of former hours.
That ripened all my joys, love,
And tinted all my flowers. [ Hood ]

Wisdom and fortune combating together,
If that the former dare but what it can,
No chance may shake it. [ William Shakespeare ]

But blind to former as to future fate.
What mortal knows his preexistent state? [ Pope ]

Is that a birthday? 'tis, alas! too clear;
'Tis but the funeral of the former year. [ Pope ]

Great things cannot have escaped former observation. [ Dr. Johnson ]

But now so wise and wary was the knight
By trial of his former harms and cares,
That he descry'd and shunned still his slight;
The fish, that once was caught, new bait will hardly bite. [ Spenser ]

Fate is nothing but the deeds committed in a former state of existence. [ Hindu saying ]

Our heroes of the former days deserved and gained their never-fading bays. [ Roscommon ]

It is to live twice when we can enjoy the recollections of our former life. [ Martial ]

Good men can more easily see through bad men than the latter can the former. [ Jean Paul Richter ]

Never let your zeal outrun your charity. The former is but human; the latter is divine. [ Hosea Ballou ]

Youth is presumptuous, old age is timid: the former aspires to live, the latter has lived. [ Mme. Roland ]

Art is the right hand of Nature. The latter has only given us being, the former has made us men. [ Schiller ]

There are female dandies as well as clothes-wearing men; and the former are as objectionable as the latter. [ Carlyle ]

Cares are often more difficult to thrown off than sorrows; the latter die with time, the former grow upon it. [ Richter ]

Pure love and suspicion cannot dwell together: at the door where the latter enters, the former makes its exit. [ Alex. Dumas ]

A sound mind in a sound body, if the former be the glory of the latter, the latter is indispensable to the former. [ Edwards ]

Man is neither an angel nor a brute, and it is his evil destiny if he aspires to be the former, to sink into the latter. [ Pascal ]

Esteem incites friendship, but not love; the former is the twin brother of Reverence; the latter is the child of Equality. [ Lamartine ]

A wound from a tongue is worse than a wound from the sword; the latter affects only the body - the former, the spirit, the soul. [ Pythagoras ]

The wrinkles on his forehead are the marks which his mighty deeds have engraved there, and still indicate what he was in former days. [ Corneille ]

Instruction is to the proletary what liberty is to the slave: the latter emancipates the body, the former emancipates the intelligence. [ E. de Girardin ]

Jails and state prisons are the complement of schools; so many less as you have of the latter, so many more you must have of the former. [ Horace Mann ]

Those writers who lie on the watch for novelty can have little hope of greatness; for great things cannot have escaped former observation. [ Johnson ]

I cannot imagine why we should be at the expense to furnish wit for succeeding ages, when the former have made no sort of provision for ours. [ Swift ]

Psychical pain is more easily borne than physical: and if I had my choice between a bad conscience and a bad tooth, I should choose the former. [ Heinrich Heine ]

Be as careful of the books you read as of the company you keep, for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as the latter. [ Paxton Hood ]

Patience is very good, but perseverance is much better; while the former stands as a stoic under difficulties, the latter whips them out of the ring. [ Elizabeth Appleton ]

Remorse is the punishment of crime; repentance, its expiation. The former appertains to a tormented conscience; the later to a soul changed for the better. [ Joubert ]

Simple gratitude, untinctured with love, is all the return an ingenuous mind can bestow for former benefits. Love for love is all the reward we expect or desire. [ Goldsmith ]

In your friendship and in your enmities let your confidence and your hostilities have certain bounds; make not the former dangerous, nor the latter irreconcilable. [ Chesterfield ]

The mother of useful arts is necessity; that of the fine arts is luxury. For father, the former has intellect; the latter, genius, which itself is a kind of luxury. [ Schopenhauer ]

Plays and romances sell as well as books of devotion, but with this difference, - more people read the former than buy them, and more buy the latter than read them. [ T. Hughes ]

Grief sharpens the understanding and strengthens the soul, whereas joy seldom troubles itself about the former, and makes the latter either effeminate or frivolous. [ F. Schubert ]

A jest that makes a virtuous woman only smile, often frightens away a prude; but, when real danger forces the former to flee, the latter does not hesitate to advance. [ Latena ]

Wanting to have a friend is altogether different from wanting to be a friend. The former is a mere natural human craving, the latter is the life of Christ in the soul. [ J. R. Miller ]

The art of saying well what one thinks is different from the faculty of thinking. The latter may be very deep and lofty and far-reaching, while the former is altogether wanting. [ Joubert ]

The poetry of the ancients was that of possession, ours is that of aspiration; the former stands fast on the soil of the present, the latter hovers between memory and anticipation. [ Schlegel ]

He that can heroically endure adversity will bear prosperity with equal greatness of soul; for the mind that cannot be dejected by the former is not likely to be transported by the latter. [ Fielding ]

D'Alembert tells us that Voltaire had always lying on his table the Petit Careme of Massillon and the Tragedies of Racine; the former to fix his taste in prose composition, and the latter in poetry. [ Dugald Stewart ]

Enthusiasm is an evil much less to be dreaded than superstition. Superstition is the disease of nations; enthusiasm that of individuals: the former grows inveterate by time: the latter is cured by it. [ Robert Hall ]

There are two modes of establishing our reputation - to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the former, because it will be invariably accompanied by the latter. [ Colton ]

There are two ways of establishing your reputation, - to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the former, because it will be invariably accompanied by the latter. [ Colton ]

Friendship is more firmly secured by lenity toward failings than by attachment to excellence; the former is valued as a kindness, which cannot be claimed; the latter is exalted to the payment of a debt to merit. [ W. B. Clulow ]

He that will often put eternity and the world before him, and who will dare to look steadfastly at both of them, will find that the more often he contemplates them, the former will grow greater, and the latter less. [ Colton ]

Some read books only with a view to find fault, while others read only, to be taught; the former are like venomous spiders, extracting a poisonous quality, where the latter, like the bees, sip out a sweet and profitable juice. [ L'Estrange ]

It may be said, almost without qualification, that true wisdom consists in the ready and accurate perception of analogies. Without the former quality, knowledge of the past is uninstructive; without the latter it is deceptive. [ Whately ]

It is the qualities of the heart, not those of the face, that should attract us in women, because the former are durable, the latter transitory. So lovable women, like roses, retain their sweetness long after they have lost their beauty. [ Lamartine ]

Local esteem is far more conducive to happiness than general reputation. The latter may be compared to the fixed stars which glimmer so remotely as to afford little light and no warmth. The former is like the sun, each day shedding his prolific and cheering beams. [ W. B. Clulow ]

The difference between a parable and an apologue is that the former, being drawn from human life, requires probability in the narration, whereas the apologue, being taken from inanimate things or the inferior animals, is not confined strictly to probability. The fables of Aesop are apologues. [ Fleming ]

Good-nature is that benevolent and amiable temper of mind which disposes us to feel the misfortunes and enjoy the happiness of others, and, consequently, pushes us on to promote the latter and prevent the former; and that without any abstract contemplation on the beauty of virtue, and without the allurements or terrors of religion. [ Fielding ]

What caricature is in painting, burlesque is in writing; and in the same manner the comic writer and painter correlate to each other; as in the former, the painter seems to have the advantage, so it is in the latter infinitely on the side of the writer. For the monstrous is much easier to paint than describe, and the ridiculous to describe than paint. [ Fielding ]

The study of the mathematics cultivates the reason; that of the languages at the same time the reason and the taste. The former gives power to the mind; the latter, both power and flexibility. The former, by itself, would prepare us for a state of certainties, which nowhere exists; the latter, for a state of probabilities, which is that of common life. [ T. Godfrey ]

A man's first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next, to escape the censures of the world. If the last interferes with the former, it ought to be entirely neglected; but otherwise there cannot be a greater satisfaction to an honest mind, than to see those approbations which it gives itself seconded by the applause of the public. [ Addison ]

The only difference between a genius and one of common capacity is that the former anticipates and explores what the latter accidentally hits upon. But even the man of genius himself more frequently employs the advantages that chance presents to him. It is the lapidary that gives value to the diamond, which the peasant has dug up without knowing its worth. [ Abbe Raynal ]

I have so great a contempt and detestation for meanness, that I could sooner make a friend of one who had committed murder, than of a person who could be capable, in any instance, of the former vice. Under meanness, I comprehend dishonesty; under dishonesty, ingratitude; under ingratitude, irreligion; and under this latter, every species of vice and immorality in human nature. [ Sterne ]

In former days various superstitious rites were used to exorcise evil spirits, but in our times the same object is attained, and beyond comparison more effectually, by the press; before this talisman, ghosts, vampires, witches, and all their kindred tribes are driven from the land, never to return again; the touch of holy water is not so intolerable to them as the smell of printing ink. [ J. Bentham ]

We must have books for recreation and entertainment, as well as books for instruction and for business; the former are agreeable, the latter useful, and the human mind requires both. The cannon law and the codes of Justinian shall have due honor, and reign at the universities; but Homer and Virgil need not therefore be banished. We will cultivate the olive and the vine, but without eradicating the myrtle and the rose. [ Balzac ]

The province of music is rather to express the passions and feelings of the human heart than the actions of men, or the operations of nature. When employed in the former capacity, it becomes an eloquent language; when in the latter, a mere mimic - an imitator, and a very miserable one - or rather a buffoon, caricaturing what it cannot imitate; the idea of the different stages of a battle, or the progress of a tempest being represented to the eye or the ear, or even the imagination, by the quavering of a fiddler's elbow, or the squeaking of catgut, is preposterous. [ G. P. Morris ]

former in Scrabble®

The word former is playable in Scrabble®, no blanks required.

Scrabble® Letter Score: 11

Highest Scoring Scrabble® Plays In The Letters former:

FORMER
(45)
REFORM
(45)
 

All Scrabble® Plays For The Word former

FORMER
(45)
FORMER
(42)
FORMER
(38)
FORMER
(36)
FORMER
(36)
FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
(15)
FORMER
(15)
FORMER
(14)
FORMER
(13)
FORMER
(13)
FORMER
(13)
FORMER
(12)

The 200 Highest Scoring Scrabble® Plays For Words Using The Letters In former

FORMER
(45)
REFORM
(45)
FORMER
(42)
REFORM
(42)
FORM
(39)
FROM
(39)
FORMER
(38)
FORM
(36)
REFORM
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FORMER
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FORMER
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REFORM
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FORMER
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FRORE
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FROM
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FORMER
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REFORM
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REFORM
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REFORM
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REFORM
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FORMER
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REFORM
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FORE
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FORMER
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FRORE
(32)
FORMER
(30)
FORMER
(30)
REFORM
(28)
REFORM
(28)
FROM
(27)
FROM
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FORM
(27)
FORM
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FORM
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FROM
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MORE
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FRORE
(27)
FRORE
(27)
FORM
(27)
FROM
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FRORE
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FORMER
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FROM
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REFORM
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FORMER
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FORM
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REFORM
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FORMER
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REFORM
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FRORE
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FORE
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FRORE
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FROM
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FORM
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FORMER
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FRORE
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FRORE
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FORMER
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REFORM
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REFORM
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REFORM
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REFORM
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FRORE
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FORMER
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FORMER
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REFORM
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REFORM
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REFORM
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FORMER
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FORE
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REFORM
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REFORM
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FORE
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FORE
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FORE
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FORE
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FORMER
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FRORE
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FRO
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REF
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FROM
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FORM
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FROM
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MORE
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FORM
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FOR
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MORE
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MORE
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MORE
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MORE
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FOE
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FRORE
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FOE
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FRORE
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FOE
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FROM
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FOR
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FRORE
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FOR
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FORM
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FORM
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REF
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FROM
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FRO
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FORMER
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FROM
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FORM
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FRORE
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FORMER
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REFORM
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FORMER
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FRORE
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FORE
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FRORE
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FRORE
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FORMER
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REFORM
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FROM
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FORM
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EF
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FORMER
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OF
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FORE
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REFORM
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OF
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FORMER
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MORE
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FRO
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REF
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FORE
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FORE
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FORE
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FORM
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FORMER
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FORE
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FOR
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FOE
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FRORE
(13)
FRORE
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FROM
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REFORM
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REFORM
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REFORM
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OF
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EF
(13)
FROM
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FORM
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FORMER
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FORM
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FORMER
(13)
FORMER
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FRO
(12)
EM
(12)
MORE
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FOR
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FOR
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FOE
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FOE
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FOE
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FRO
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REF
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ME
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EM
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ME
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MORE
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MORE
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REF
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FOR
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REFORM
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FROM
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REF
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FROM
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FOR
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FROM
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FORM
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FORE
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REF
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former in Words With Friends™

The word former is playable in Words With Friends™, no blanks required.

Words With Friends™ Letter Score: 12

Highest Scoring Words With Friends™ Plays In The Letters former:

FORMER
(66)
FORMER
(66)
REFORM
(66)
REFORM
(66)
 

All Words With Friends™ Plays For The Word former

FORMER
(66)
FORMER
(66)
FORMER
(60)
FORMER
(60)
FORMER
(48)
FORMER
(48)
FORMER
(42)
FORMER
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FORMER
(42)
FORMER
(42)
FORMER
(40)
FORMER
(36)
FORMER
(36)
FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
(28)
FORMER
(28)
FORMER
(28)
FORMER
(26)
FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
(14)
FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
(14)
FORMER
(14)
FORMER
(13)
FORMER
(13)
FORMER
(13)
FORMER
(13)
FORMER
(12)

The 200 Highest Scoring Words With Friends™ Plays Using The Letters In former

FORMER
(66)
FORMER
(66)
REFORM
(66)
REFORM
(66)
REFORM
(60)
REFORM
(60)
FORMER
(60)
FORMER
(60)
FROM
(54)
FORM
(54)
FROM
(54)
FORM
(54)
FORMER
(48)
FORMER
(48)
REFORM
(48)
FRORE
(48)
REFORM
(48)
FORE
(45)
MORE
(45)
FORMER
(42)
FORMER
(42)
FORMER
(42)
REFORM
(42)
REFORM
(42)
FORMER
(42)
REFORM
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REFORM
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FORMER
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REFORM
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REFORM
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REFORM
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FORMER
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FORMER
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FORMER
(32)
REFORM
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FRORE
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FORMER
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REFORM
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FRORE
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FROM
(30)
FORM
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FRORE
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FORM
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FORM
(28)
FORMER
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REFORM
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REFORM
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FROM
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FROM
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FORE
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FROM
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ME
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MORE
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Words within the letters of former

2 letter words in former (6 words)

3 letter words in former (7 words)

4 letter words in former (4 words)

5 letter words in former (1 word)

6 letter words in former (Anagrams) (2 words)

former + 1 blank (5 words)

Word Growth involving former

Shorter words in former

or for form

me

Longer words containing former

conformer conformers hyperconformers

conformer conformers nonconformers

conformer conformers superconformers

conformer hyperconformer hyperconformers

conformer nonconformer nonconformers

conformer superconformer superconformers

deformer deformers

formerly

formers conformers hyperconformers

formers conformers nonconformers

formers conformers superconformers

formers deformers

formers hydroformers

formers informers misinformers

formers performers nonperformers

formers performers overperformers

formers performers underperformers

formers platformers

formers reformers antireformers

formers reformers counterreformers

formers reformers sporeformers nonsporeformers

formers reformers structureformers

formers slipformers

formers transformers autotransformers

formers transformers selftransformers

hydroformer hydroformers

informer informers misinformers

informer misinformer misinformers

performer nonperformer nonperformers

performer overperformer overperformers

performer performers nonperformers

performer performers overperformers

performer performers underperformers

performer underperformer underperformers

platformer platformers

reformer antireformer antireformers

reformer counterreformer counterreformers

reformer reformers antireformers

reformer reformers counterreformers

reformer reformers sporeformers nonsporeformers

reformer reformers structureformers

reformer sporeformer nonsporeformer nonsporeformers

reformer sporeformer sporeformers nonsporeformers

reformer structureformer structureformers

slipformer slipformers

transformer autotransformer autotransformers

transformer selftransformer selftransformers

transformer transformers autotransformers

transformer transformers selftransformers

uniformer