What is the different between ex and former?

Answer 1

To have an 'ex' in a relationship means it ended pretty badly like the guy dumped the girl or vice versa a 'former' means that they probably ended the relationship mutually and are still on good terms with each other

Answer 2

Ex is more final. If you said, "that person is my former colleague," it's neutral but "ex-colleague" suggests that you repudiated them in some way. Maybe a better example, you could say "in my former life," (either in reference to your previous incarnation or just a different living situation you were in before) but you couldn't say "my ex-life," it doesn't make sense, because you are alive. Also, ex is more restricted grammatically, because it is truly a prefix. You can say "my ex-apartment is near here," or "my former apartment is near here," OR you could say "formerly, I lived near here." but you can't say "exly, I lived near here," or "I exly lived here." You'd have to say "I once lived here." However, ex also has the meaning of a noun when you speak of your "ex" to mean your ex-spouse or ex-partner. You can't say "my former" and have people have any idea what you mean. But "my ex" has a whole lot of meaning."

Answer 3

To have an 'ex' in a relationship means it ended pretty badly like the guy dumped the girl or vice versa a 'former' means that they probably ended the relationship mutually and are still on good terms with each other

Answer 4

"Ex" is a prefix meaning former or previously held, used before a job title or relationship status (e.g., ex-boyfriend). "Former" is an adjective used to describe something that existed in the past, such as a former president.

Answer 5

They are used synonymously. Some people find former to be a more respectful term.