- near the beginning of a period of time, an event, a piece of work, etc.
- We arrived early the next day.
- early in something early in the week/year/season/morning
- We meet the hero quite early in the film.
- as early as something He started writing music as early as 1989.
- The best rooms go to those who book earliest.
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- before the usual, expected or planned time
- Why don't you go home early if you're not feeling well?
- Get there early to make sure you get good seats.
- The bus came five minutes early.
- I woke up early this morning.
- I have to get up ridiculously early.
- She went to bed early.
- The baby arrived earlier than expected.
- I arrived a few minutes early for my interview.
- early flowering plants
- The summer is starting earlier and earlier each year.
- earlierbefore the present time or the time mentioned
- As I said earlier…
- As mentioned/noted/described earlier…
- a week earlier
- She had seen him earlier in the day.
Word OriginOld English (as an adverb) ǣrlīce (see ere, -ly), influenced by Old Norse árliga. The adjective use dates from Middle English.
Idioms
See early in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee early in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishearly on
- at an early stage of a situation, relationship, period of time, etc.
- I knew quite early on that I wanted to marry her.
Check pronunciation:
early