early
early [early earlies earlier earliest] adjective, adverb [ˈɜːli] [ˈɜːrli]
adjective (earl·ier, earli·est)
1. near the beginning of a period of time, an event etc
• the early morning
• my earliest memories
• The project is still in the early stages.
• the early 1990s
• in the early days of space exploration (= when it was just beginning)
• The earliest possible date I can make it is the third.
• He's in his early twenties.
• Mozart's early works (= those written at the beginning of his career)
• Early booking is essential, as space is limited.
• The ruling overturned the court's earlier decision.
• The earliest description of this species dates from 1703.
2. arriving, or done before the usual, expected or planned time
• You're early! I wasn't expecting you till seven.
• The bus was ten minutes early.
• an early breakfast
• Let's make an early start tomorrow.
• She's an early riser (= she gets up early in the morning).
• He learnt to play the piano at an early age.
• early potatoes (= that are ready to eat at the beginning of the season)
Opp: late
more at bright and early at bright adj., the small/early hours at hour, an early/a late night at night
Word Origin:
Old English (as an adverb) ǣrlīce (see ere, -ly), influenced by Old Norse árliga. The adjective use dates from Middle English.
Thesaurus:
early adj.
• Let's make an early start.
punctual • • prompt • • on time •
Opp: late
be early/punctual for sth
Example Bank:
• I have to get up ridiculously early.
• I'm sorry I'm a bit early.
• It's a little early for lunch.
• These discoveries were made at a surprisingly early date.
• You're here awfully early, aren't you?
• He learned to play the piano at an early age.
• Let's make an early start tomorrow.
• She's an early riser.
• These are early potatoes.
• We had an early breakfast.
• You're an early bird this morning!
• You're early! I wasn't expecting you till seven.
Idioms: at your earliest convenience ▪ early bird ▪ early bird catches the worm ▪ early on ▪ it's early days
Derived Word: earliness