Meaning & use
former glory
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
the good condition or high status that someone or something had in the past
Grammar: Used after a possessive or the definite article: its former glory, the former glory. Not used with a/an.
Patterns
- restore something to its former glory
- return to its former glory
- recapture its former glory
- a shadow of its former glory
The old theater has been restored to its former glory after years of neglect.
The team hopes to return to its former glory by winning the championship again.
The hotel, once a grand building, is now a shadow of its former glory.
Common combinations
- restore something to its former glory
- Volunteers worked for months to restore the garden to its former glory.
- return to its former glory
- The brand hopes to return to its former glory with a new line of products.
- a shadow of its former glory
- The run-down station is a shadow of its former glory.
- recapture its former glory
- The city is trying to recapture its former glory as a center of trade.
Synonyms and how they differ
- past greatness
- Focuses on the quality of being great rather than on the state of being admired or successful; former glory often suggests visible splendor or reputation.
- old splendor
- Emphasizes impressive appearance, while former glory can also refer to success or fame.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: former glory or former glories?
former glory vs former glories
The plural form refers to several past achievements or successes, while former glory is more general and often uncountable.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'former glory' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The phrase requires a possessive or the definite article before 'former glory'. 'Its former glory' is the most natural. 'A former glory' is wrong because the phrase is not countable in this sense, and omitting the article or using 'the' without context also sounds incomplete.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “former glory”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.