Definition of 'early'

Word Frequency

early

(ɜːʳli )

Word forms: comparative earlier , superlative earliest

1. adverb [ADVERB after verb]

Early means before the usual time that a particular event or activity happens.

I knew I had to get up early.

Why do we have to go to bed so early?

Early is also an adjective.

I decided that I was going to take early retirement.

I planned an early night.

2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

Early means near the beginning of a day, week, year, or other period of time.

...in the 1970s and the early 1980s.

...a few weeks in early summer.

She was in her early teens.

...the early hours of Saturday morning.

Early is also an adverb.

We'll hope to see you some time early next week.

...early in the season.

3. adverb [ADVERB after verb]

Early means before the time that was arranged or expected.

She arrived early to secure a place at the front.

The first snow came a month earlier than usual.

Synonyms: in good time, beforehand, ahead of schedule, in advance More Synonyms of early

Early is also an adjective.

I'm always early.

4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

Early means near the beginning of a period in history, or in the history of something such as the world, a society, or an activity.

...the early stages of pregnancy.

...Fassbinder's early films.

...the early days of the occupation.

It's too early to declare his efforts a success.

5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

Early means near the beginning of something such as a piece of work or a process.

...the book's early chapters.

Synonyms: first, opening, earliest, initial More Synonyms of early

Early is also an adverb.

...an incident which occurred much earlier in the game.

6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

Early refers to plants which flower or crop before or at the beginning of the main season.

...these early cabbages and cauliflowers.

Early is also an adverb.

...early flowering shrubs.

7. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

Early reports or indications of something are the first reports or indications about it.

[formal]

The early indications look encouraging.

Earlier reports that troops opened fire are now being denied.

as early as

it's early days

More Synonyms of early

Video: pronunciation of 'early'

Word Frequency

early in British

(ˈɜːlɪ )

adjective -lier or -liest

before the expected or usual time

occurring in or characteristic of the first part of a period or sequence

occurring in or characteristic of a period far back in time

occurring in the near future

5. at the earliest

6. early days

7. early doors

adverb -lier or -liest

before the expected or usual time

near the first part of a period or sequence

I was talking to him earlier

Derived forms

earliness (ˈearliness)

noun

Word origin of 'early'

Old English ǣrlīce, from ǣr ere + -līce -ly2; related to Old Norse arliga

Word Frequency

Early in American

(ˈɜrli ; ʉrˈlē)

Jubal Anderson1816-94; Confederate general in the Civil War

Word Frequency

early in American

(ˈɜrli ; ʉrˈlē)

adverb, adjectiveWord forms: ˈearlier or ˈearliest

near the beginning of a given period of time or of a series, as of events; soon after the start

before the expected or customary time

in the far distant past; in ancient or remote times

in the near future; before much time has passed

Idioms:

early on

Derived forms

earliness (ˈearliness)

noun

Word origin of 'early'

ME erli < OE ærlic, adv. (> ærlic, adj.) < ær, before (see ere) + -lice, adv. suffix (see -ly2, like1)

Example sentences containing 'early'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

At least it is milder than earlier in the week. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The printing plants were raided in the early hours without explanation. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The thing about getting up so early is that one is full of optimism. Times, Sunday Times (2016)That is something they themselves were not doing earlier this season but are now. The Sun (2016)You have to go back to early last year for anything better. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Early to bed and a cold shower first thing can help. Times, Sunday Times (2017)It is far too early for him to be thinking of England. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It has also emerged that a further 200 senior managers were let go earlier this month. Times, Sunday Times (2016)European security has not looked as perilous since the early 1980s. Times, Sunday Times (2016)What can you suggest for a week early in the school summer holidays? Times, Sunday Times (2012)They were less thrilled when the party was still going strong in the early hours. Times, Sunday Times (2006)We get them up early and work them hard doing household chores and work round the farm. Times, Sunday Times (2009)They then went to bed in the early hours. The Sun (2010)My desire to forgo parenthood goes back to early childhood. Times, Sunday Times (2013)It is important he has a couple of good early saves in front of the fans. The Sun (2014)These are illustrations of a difficulty all reformers faced in the early part of the nineteenth century. Brian Thompson DEVASTATING EDEN: The Search for Utopia in America (2004)In earlier times it had been a music hall. Times, Sunday Times (2012)We often had to leave class or go home early. Times, Sunday Times (2008)It took its place on the shelves earlier this month. The Sun (2015)We have also been catching male crabs a lot earlier than usual. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Owners of shops and restaurants could check on the businesses they closed weeks earlier. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The rest of the explanation seeps out gradually as midnight melts into the early hours. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Research shows that getting up early is linked to good health. The Sun (2016)It is far too early to name a decade when we are only one day into it. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The game hinged on a five-minute period early in the first half. Times, Sunday Times (2013)She did it brilliantly, peaking perfectly and rendering judgments of her early season meaningless. Times, Sunday Times (2008)The financial argument for Scottish independence was constructed in an earlier period. Times, Sunday Times (2012)And yet, it is in its earliest beginnings that we still see it at its most beautiful. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Those of us who remember the 1970s and early 1980s know how damaging the oil shocks were. Times, Sunday Times (2007)She was most active in the 1970s and early 1980s. Times, Sunday Times (2013)In the early 1990s, they were the best team in the world. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Within four minutes he has worked out that he bought a painting from my father-in-law in the early 1970s. Times, Sunday Times (2012)