12 Alternative Ways to Say “Former Colleague”
In professional relationships, it’s helpful to have different ways to refer to someone you once worked with.
Instead of always using “Former colleague,” using varied phrases can keep your communication clear and engaging.
In this guide, I’ll show you 12 alternative ways to say “Former colleague” that can fit various contexts and needs.
Synonyms for “Former Colleague”
- Previous Coworker
- Ex-Associate
- Past Team Member
- Former Workmate
- Previous Partner in Business
- Old Colleague
- Ex-Work Partner
- Former Coworker
- Past Collaborator
- Previous Associate
- Former Work Friend
- Previous Work Buddy
1. Previous Coworker
Examples:
- Working with a previous coworker on this project has been a smooth experience.
- I caught up with a previous coworker recently, and it was great to see how our paths have evolved.
2. Ex-Associate
Examples:
- I ran into an ex-associate at the conference last week, and we had a great conversation about industry trends.
- Reconnecting with an ex-associate always brings back memories of our shared projects.
3. Past Team Member
Examples:
- It’s interesting to see where my past team members have ended up in their careers.
- We shared a lot of laughs when I met up with a past team member over lunch.
4. Former Workmate
Examples:
- I had a productive chat with a former workmate about some new ideas for my business.
- Catching up with a former workmate reminded me of the good times we had on our old team.
5. Previous Partner in Business
Examples:
- I recently collaborated with a previous partner in business, and it was a rewarding experience.
- It was fascinating to see how my previous partner in business is doing these days.
6. Old Colleague
Examples:
- I had a nostalgic moment when I met up with an old colleague from my first job.
- Reconnecting with an old colleague really made me appreciate our past teamwork.
7. Ex-Work Partner
Examples:
- I shared a few laughs with an ex-work partner at the reunion last week.
- It was refreshing to discuss new projects with an ex-work partner from my previous company.
8. Former Coworker
Examples:
- Meeting a former coworker at the event was a highlight of my day.
- We exchanged updates on our careers when I bumped into a former coworker at the networking session.
9. Past Collaborator
Examples:
- I enjoyed reminiscing about past projects with a former collaborator during our recent meetup.
- Talking with a past collaborator gave me a fresh perspective on our old work.
10. Previous Associate
Examples:
- I had an engaging discussion with a previous associate about the latest industry developments.
- It was great to catch up with a previous associate and hear about their new ventures.
11. Former Work Friend
Examples:
- Catching up with a former work friend was like no time had passed at all.
- I was happy to see how my former work friend has been doing since we last worked together.
12. Previous Work Buddy
Examples:
- I reminisced about our old projects with a previous work buddy over coffee.
- Meeting a previous work buddy brought back great memories of our team’s successes.
