for·mer 
/ˈfoɚmɚ/ adjective
always used before a noun /ˈfoɚmɚ/ adjective 1 — used to say what someone or something was in the past ▪ a former congressman ▪ her former husband ▪ two former friends 2 : existing in the past
▪ They hope to restore the old theater to its former glory. [=to make it as good as it was in the past] ▪ She is now just a shadow of her former self. [=she is not the same person she once was]
▪ They hope to restore the old theater to its former glory. [=to make it as good as it was in the past] ▪ She is now just a shadow of her former self. [=she is not the same person she once was]
the former
: the first one of two things or people that have been mentioned
▪ Of these two options, the former is less expensive, while the latter is less risky. ▪ If offered a choice between death and exile, he said that he would choose the former. [=he would choose death] — compare the latter at latter
▪ Of these two options, the former is less expensive, while the latter is less risky. ▪ If offered a choice between death and exile, he said that he would choose the former. [=he would choose death] — compare the latter at latter
