Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Near the beginning of a period, process, or sequence: Occurring or done before the usual or expected time, or at the beginning of a specified period.
   • Belonging to a distant past or a former time: Relating to the initial stages of history, development, or existence.
   • Expected in the near future: Happening soon.

2. Adverb:

   • Before the usual or expected time: Happening or done sooner than is typical or scheduled.
   • Near the beginning of a period or sequence: At a point not far from the start.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • She is an early riser. (She wakes up before the usual time.)
  • We studied early forms of writing. (We studied writing from the initial stages of its development.)
  • An early reply would be appreciated. (A reply happening soon is desired.)

• Adverb:

  • The train arrived early. (The train arrived before its scheduled time.)
  • He started his career early in life. (He began his career at a young age, near the start of his life.)

Advanced Usage

• "early on": at an initial or early stage in a process or period.
  • I realized early on that the project would be difficult.
• "at the earliest": not before the time specified; indicating the soonest possible time.
  • The report will be ready next week at the earliest.
• "early bird" (idiomatic noun): a person who rises, arrives, or acts before the usual time.
  • The early bird gets the worm.

Variants and Related Words

• Earlier (adj/adv): comparative form of 'early'; happening before the present time or before the time in question.
  • I saw her earlier today.
• Earliest (adj): superlative form of 'early'; happening before all others.
  • This is the earliest known example.
• Earlyish (adj/adv, informal): fairly early.
  • Let's meet at an earlyish hour.

Synonyms

• Premature: happening or done before the proper or usual time (often with a negative connotation).
• Untimely: occurring at an unsuitable time, especially earlier than expected.
• Initial: existing or occurring at the beginning.
• Advance: done or given before an event.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Get up early: to wake and rise from bed before the usual time.
  • I need to get up early for my flight.
• Call it an early night: to go to bed earlier than usual.
  • I'm tired; I'm going to call it an early night.

Related Idioms

• The early bird catches the worm: a proverb meaning that the person who takes the earliest opportunity to do something will gain an advantage.
  • I always arrive first at the sales; the early bird catches the worm.
• Bright and early: very early in the morning.
  • We'll need to leave bright and early tomorrow.
• It's early days (yet): it is too soon to be sure about the eventual outcome of a situation.
  • The team has lost a few games, but it's early days.

Adjective

1. expected in the near future
   • look for an early end to the negotiations
2. of an early stage in the development of a language or literature
   • the Early Hebrew alphabetical script is that used mainly from the 11th to the 6th centuries B.C.
   • Early Modern English is represented in documents printed from 1476 to 1700
3. very young
   • at an early age
4. belonging to the distant past
   • the early inhabitants of Europe
   • former generations
   • in other times
5. being or occurring at an early stage of development
   • in an early stage
   • early forms of life
   • early man
   • an early computer
6. at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
   • early morning
   • an early warning
   • early diagnosis
   • an early death
   • took early retirement
   • an early spring
   • early varieties of peas and tomatoes mature before most standard varieties

Adverb

1. in good time
   • he awoke betimes that morning
2. before the usual time or the time expected
   • she graduated early
   • the house was completed ahead of time
3. during an early stage
   • early on in her career