When discussing someone you once worked with, you often refer to them as a ‘former colleague’. But sometimes, you might want to mix things up, especially if you’re trying to diversify your vocabulary or match the mood of a conversation or document.
Whether you’re catching up with an old friend or writing a professional recommendation, having different ways to refer to a former colleague can be useful.
Here are 11 alternatives that can help you accurately convey those previous professional connections with just the right touch.
Other Ways to Say “Former Colleague”
- Former associate
- Former co-worker
- Previous colleague
- Former teammate
- Former team member
- Previous associate
- Ex-coworker
- Ex-colleague
- Old colleague
- Old partner
- One-time co-worker
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Former colleague” is a professional way to refer to someone you used to work with.
- “Former associate” and “previous colleague” are polished terms for past workmates.
- “Old partner” and “one-time co-worker” are more relaxed ways to talk about friends from work.
6 Formal Ways to say “Former Colleague”
When discussing people you’ve worked with before in a professional context, it’s crucial to use respectful and accurate language. Here are some formal alternatives to “former colleague” that can help you maintain a polished tone when discussing past work relationships.
Former associate
Referring to someone as your ‘former associate’ suggests they were once part of your professional network, usually implying a partnership or shared business interest. This term elevates the relationship, hinting at more than just sharing office space. It suggests mutual professional respect and collaboration.
You might use this phrase in a business meeting or written communication when referring to someone you’ve worked closely with on projects or business deals.
Sample Email
Dear Elizabeth,
I hope this message finds you well. I was reflecting on our successful project at Global Tech and wanted to express my gratitude for the time we worked together as former associates. Your expertise was invaluable.
Warm regards,
Former co-worker
Describing someone as your ‘former co-worker’ is a simple way to say you both worked at the same place.
It’s a formal term due to its clear-cut nature, not making any assumptions about your past interactions beyond sharing a workplace. It’s suitable for situations like job interviews or professional networking events where you need to reference someone from your past jobs without detailing the relationship.
Sample Email
Dear Michael Brown,
I trust you’re doing great. I hope you remember me, your former co-worker at InnoDesign was truly productive. I’m reaching out to see if you’d be interested in sharing insights on the industry’s latest trends.
Best,
Previous colleague
The term ‘previous colleague’ is a respectful way to refer to someone you once worked with. It’s formal because it acknowledges the person’s role in your professional history without implying ongoing collaboration.
You can use this term when writing a recommendation letter or during formal conversations where you want to mention someone from your previous job without suggesting any current association.
Sample Email
Dear Susan,
This is your previous colleague at Tech Solutions, I’ve always admired your dedication. I’m currently seeking endorsements and would be honored if you could provide one based on our past work.
Sincerely,
Former teammate
Calling someone a ‘former teammate’ suggests you were both part of a group working towards a common goal, either within a sports context or any team-based work environment.
It’s suitable when you’re in settings that value teamwork, such as leadership seminars or team-building workshops, and you want to reference someone from a past collaborative effort.
Sample Email
Dear David,
Greetings! I fondly recall our time as former teammates during the Springfield project. Your collaborative spirit was key to our success. Let’s catch up soon and discuss new opportunities.
Best wishes,
Former team member
Using the term ‘former team member’ indicates the person was once part of a group or team you were also involved in. It’s a formal alternative that focuses on the individual’s role within a collective framework, without implying any personal relationship.
This phrase emphasizes the person’s role within a team structure, which can be useful when discussing team dynamics or past projects in a professional context.
Sample Email
Dear Laura,
I hope you’re thriving. As your former team member at Creative Inc., I’ve always valued your input. I’m reaching out to reconnect and explore potential collaborations in the future.
Kind regards,
Previous associate
The phrase ‘previous associate’ refers to someone you’ve had a prior business or professional relationship with. It’s a formal term that conveys a sense of previous partnership or collaboration without indicating the closeness of the relationship.
It’s useful in formal written documents, such as reports or resumes, where you need to mention someone from your professional history in a way that is both respectful and detached.
Sample Email
Dear Daniel,
I trust you’re well. As my previous associate at MarketGen you have contributed a lot to my understanding of this field. Your insights would be beneficial for a panel I’m organizing. Would you be interested in participating?
Respectfully,
5 Informal Ways to say “Former Colleague”
When you’re chatting with friends or in less formal settings, you might prefer to use a more laid-back term to talk about people you used to work with.
Here are some casual alternatives you can throw into everyday conversations when talking about a former colleague.
Ex-coworker
For someone who used to share your workspace but doesn’t anymore, you could call them your ‘ex-coworker’. This term is less formal and great for talking about past jobs with new friends or at casual get-togethers.
You can use ‘ex-coworker’ when catching up with friends or discussing old work experiences in a relaxed setting, like when sharing tales about your previous job or reconnecting with old pals.
Examples:
“I bumped into my ex-coworker at the supermarket yesterday.”
“My ex-coworker and I used to have the best discussions during lunch breaks.”
“I remember the fun times with my ex-coworker at office parties.”
“My ex-coworker was always full of hilarious stories.”
“My ex-coworker and I still share a lot of inside jokes.”
Ex-colleague
The term ‘ex-colleague’ keeps things simple and light-hearted. It’s an informal way to refer to someone you used to work with, similar to saying “ex-classmate” or “ex-roommate.”
It’s perfect for casual chats, perhaps while reminiscing over a cup of coffee or at a reunion. It’s a breezy term that doesn’t have a formal feel, making it ideal for relaxed, daily conversations.
Examples:
“I went to a concert with my ex-colleague over the weekend.”
“My ex-colleague and I had some memorable work trips together.”
“I catch up with my ex-colleague every few months for coffee.”
“My ex-colleague was always up for a game of table tennis during breaks.”
“I ran into my ex-colleague at a friend’s wedding.”
Old colleague
Calling someone your ‘old colleague’ adds a bit of sentimentality to your reference. It has a more friendly and affectionate tone, implying a personal bond over time, much like an “old friend.”
Use this term when you want to express a sense of history and familiarity. It’s suitable for laid-back chats, such as catching up with a mutual friend or reminiscing about the “good old days” at a prior job. It’s perfect for relaxed talks with family or friends, or when reminiscing about your past work life.
Examples:
“I had a great time catching up with an old colleague recently.”
“My old colleague and I used to compete in office quiz competitions.”
“I bumped into my old colleague during a vacation.”
“I often reminisce about the fun times with my old colleague.”
“My old colleague sent me a thoughtful gift for my birthday.”
Old partner
The term ‘old partner’ has a friendly, informal vibe, suggesting that you and the person in question once worked together on projects or business ventures. It conveys a sense of camaraderie and a shared journey, making it a warm, casual alternative to ‘former colleague’.
It’s a good substitute for “former colleague” when you want to emphasize the teamwork aspect of your past relationship. Use ‘old partner’ when telling tales about joint projects or past successes.
Examples:
“I met up with my old partner for a game of golf.”
“My old partner and I used to volunteer for corporate social responsibility activities.”
“I attended a book signing event with my old partner.”
“My old partner was always the life of office parties.”
One-time co-worker
“One-time co-worker” is an informal and laid-back way to refer to someone you’ve worked with before. This phrase highlights that you and this person were part of the same workforce, but only for a specific period.
It’s a handy term when you want to clarify that your working relationship with this person was limited to a certain time or project.
Examples:
“I received a holiday card from a one-time co-worker.”
“My one-time co-worker and I worked on a challenging project together.”
“I had a chance encounter with a one-time co-worker at a seminar.”
“My one-time co-worker and I used to go for runs after work.”
“I shared a cab ride home with a one-time co-worker after a late-night work session.”
In conclusion, whether you’re in a formal or casual setting, there are plenty of ways to refer to your past work relationships beyond just saying ‘former colleague’. From phrases like ‘former associate’ and ‘previous colleague’ for professional contexts, to more relaxed terms such as ‘old partner’ and ‘ex-colleague’ for casual conversations, you have an array of options to choose from. So next time you’re discussing old jobs or reminiscing about past collaborations, try using these alternatives.
