British English

fiftieth

fiftieth [ordinal number]
US /ˈfɪf·ti·əθ/ 
Example: 

her fiftieth birthday

50th written as a word 

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

her fiftieth birthday

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

fiftieth

 

 See main entry: fifty

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fiftieth

 

fif·ti·eth [fiftieth fiftieths]   [ˈfɪftiəθ]  ;   [ˈfɪftiəθ]  ordinal number, noun  There are examples of how to use ordinal numbers at the entry for fifth.

 

 

Main entry: fiftyderived

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

fiftieth / ˈfɪf.ti.əθ / ordinal number

50th written as a word

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fiftieth

[fɪ̱ftiəθ]
 ♦♦
 ORD

 The fiftieth item in a series is the one that you count as number fifty.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

fifty

 

fif·ty /ˈfɪfti/ noun, pl -ties
1 [count] : the number 50
2 fifties [plural]
a : the numbers ranging from 50 to 59
b : a set of years ending in digits ranging from 50 to 59
• She is in her fifties.
• He fondly remembers growing up in the fifties. [=1950–1959]
3 [count] US : a fifty-dollar bill
• The bill for dinner came to $43, and she gave him a fifty.
- fif·ti·eth /ˈfɪftiəɵ/ adj
• their fiftieth wedding anniversary
- fiftieth noun, pl -eths [count]
• one fiftieth of the total
- fifty adj
fifty cars in the parking lot
- fifty pronoun
Fifty (of them) were wounded in battle.
- fif·ty·ish /ˈfɪftijɪʃ/ adj
• He looked fiftyish. [=about 50 years old]

 

fortieth

fortieth [ordinal number]
US /ˈfɔr·t̬i·əθ/ 
Example: 

her fortieth birthday

40th written as a word

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

her fortieth birthday

Oxford Essential Dictionary

fortieth

 number form of forty

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

fortieth

 

 See main entry: forty

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fortieth

 

I. for·ti·eth [fortieth fortieths]   [ˈfɔːtiəθ]  ;   [ˈfɔːrtiəθ] 

»  forty

II. fortieth [fortieth fortieths]   [ˈfɔːtiəθ]  ;   [ˈfɔːrtiəθ]  ordinal number, noun  There are examples of how to use ordinal numbers at the entry for fifth.

Main entry: fortyderived

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

fortieth / ˈfɔː.ti.əθ /   / ˈfɔːr.t̬i- / ordinal number

40th written as a word

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fortieth

[fɔ͟ː(r)tiəθ]
 ♦♦
 ORD

 The fortieth item in a series is the one that you count as number forty.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

forty

 

for·ty /ˈfoɚti/ noun, pl for·ties
1 [count] : the number 40
2 forties [plural]
a : the numbers ranging from 40 to 49
• The temperature outside is in the high forties.
b : a set of years ending in digits ranging from 40 to 49
• She is in her forties.
• She found some old record albums from the forties. [=from 1940–1949]
- for·ti·eth /ˈfoɚtijəɵ/ noun, pl -eths [count]
• one fortieth of the total
- fortieth adj
• his fortieth birthday
- forty adj
forty days
- forty pronoun
forty of her classmates
- for·ty·ish /ˈfoɚtijɪʃ/ adj
• He was tall, fortyish [=about 40 years old], and had glasses and brown hair.

nineteenth

nineteenth [ordinal number]
US /ˌnɑɪnˈtinθ/ 
Example: 

his nineteenth birthday

19th written as a word

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

his nineteenth birthday

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

nineteenth

 

 See main entry: nineteen

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

nineteenth

 

nine·teenth [nineteenth nineteenths]   [ˌnaɪnˈtiːnθ]  ;   [ˌnaɪnˈtiːnθ]  ordinal number, noun  There are examples of how to use ordinal numbers at the entry for fifth.

 

 

Main entry: nineteenderived

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

nineteenth / ˌnaɪnˈtiːnθ / ordinal number

19th written as a word:

The new term starts on the nineteenth ( of September).

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

nineteenth

[na͟ɪnti͟ːnθ]
 ♦♦
 ORD

 The nineteenth item in a series is the one that you count as number nineteen.
  ...my nineteenth birthday.
  ...the nineteenth century.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

nineteen

 

nine·teen /naɪnˈtiːn/ noun, pl -teens [count] : the number 19
- nineteen adj
nineteen hours
- nineteen pronoun
• She bought nineteen (of them).
- nine·teenth /naɪnˈtiːnɵ/ noun, pl -teenths [count]
• The book is due back on the nineteenth (of the month).
• one nineteenth of the total cost
- nineteenth adj
• He was the country's nineteenth president.
• I was the nineteenth person to cross the finish line.
• (humorous) the nineteenth hole [=the bar at a golf course where players drink after playing a round of 18 holes of golf]
- nineteenth adv
• She finished nineteenth in the race.
• the country's nineteenth largest state

 

eighteenth

eighteenth [ordinal number]
US /eɪtˈtinθ/ 
Example: 

the eighteenth floor

18th written as a word

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

the eighteenth floor

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

eighteenth

See main entry: eighteen
 

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

eighteenth

 

eight·eenth [eighteenth eighteenths]   [ˌeɪˈtiːnθ]  ;   [ˌeɪˈtiːnθ]  ordinal number, noun  There are examples of how to use ordinal numbers at the entry for fifth.

 

 

Main entry: eighteenderived

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

eighteenth / ˌeɪˈtiːnθ / ordinal number

18th written as a word:

Next Monday is the eighteenth ( of February).

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

eighteenth

[e͟ɪti͟ːnθ]
 ♦♦
 ORD

 The eighteenth item in a series is the one that you count as number eighteen.
  The siege is now in its eighteenth day.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

eighteen

 

eigh·teen /ˌeɪtˈtiːn/ noun, pl -teens [count] : the number 18
- eighteen adj
eighteen years
- eighteen pronoun
Eighteen (of them) were present.
- eigh·teenth /ˌeɪtˈtiːnɵ/ noun, pl -teenths [count]
• one eighteenth of the total
- eighteenth adj
• the eighteenth day
- eighteenth adv
• He finished eighteenth in the race.

seventeenth

seventeenth [ordinal number]
US /ˌsev·ənˈtinθ/ 
Example: 

their seventeenth anniversary

17th written as a word

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

their seventeenth anniversary

Oxford Essential Dictionary

seventeenth

 adjective, adverb, noun
17th

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

seventeenth

 

 See main entry: seventeen

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

seventeenth

 

seven·teenth [seventeenth seventeenths]   [ˌsevnˈtiːnθ]  ;   [ˌsevnˈtiːnθ]  ordinal number, noun  There are examples of how to use ordinal numbers at the entry for fifth.

 

 

Main entry: seventeen

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

seventeenth / ˌsev. ə nˈtiːnθ / ordinal number

17th written as a word:

My mother's birthday is on the seventeenth ( of June).

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

seventeenth

[se̱v(ə)nti͟ːnθ]
 ♦♦
 seventeenths

 1) ORD The seventeenth item in a series is the one that you count as number seventeen.
  She gave birth to Annabel just after her seventeenth birthday.
 2) FRACTION A seventeenth is one of seventeen equal parts of something.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

seventeen

 

sev·en·teen /ˌsɛvənˈtiːn/ noun, pl -teens [count] : the number 17
- seventeen adj
• They lived together for seventeen years.
- seventeen pronoun
• We interviewed seventeen (of them).
- sev·en·teenth /ˌsɛvənˈtiːnɵ/ noun, pl -teenths [count]
• I'll see you on the seventeenth of April.
• The bill is due on the seventeenth (of the month).
• one seventeenth of the total
- seventeenth adj
• The paintings were made in the seventeenth century.
• He finished in seventeenth place.
- seventeenth adv
• She finished seventeenth in the race.

sixteenth

sixteenth [ordinal number]
US /sɪksˈtinθ/ 
Example: 

نفر شانزدهم‌، شانزدهمين‌ نفر

16th written as a word

Persian equivalent: 

Oxford Essential Dictionary

sixteenth

 pronoun, adjective, adverb, noun

1 16th

2 one of sixteen equal parts of something; 1/16

 

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

sixteenth

I. See main entry: sixteen

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

sixteenth

 

 

six·teenth [sixteenth sixteenths]   [ˌsɪksˈtiːnθ]  ;   [ˌsɪksˈtiːnθ]  ordinal number, noun  There are examples of how to use ordinal numbers at the entry for fifth.

 

Main entry: sixteenderived

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

sixteenth / ˌsɪkˈstiːnθ / ordinal number

16th written as a word:

Their anniversary is on the sixteenth ( of June).

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

sixteenth

[sɪ̱ksti͟ːnθ]
 ♦♦
 sixteenths

 1) ORD The sixteenth item in a series is the one that you count as number sixteen.
  ...the sixteenth century AD.
 2) FRACTION A sixteenth is one of sixteen equal parts of something.
  ...a sixteenth of a second.
  ...fifteen sixteenths of an inch.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

sixteen

 

six·teen /ˌsɪkˈstiːn/ noun, pl -teens [count] : the number 16
- sixteen adj
sixteen years
- sixteen pronoun
Sixteen (of them) will be coming tonight.
- six·teenth /ˌsɪkˈstiːnɵ/ noun, pl -teenths [count]
• I'll see you on the sixteenth of April.
• The bill is due on the sixteenth (of the month).
• one sixteenth of the total
- sixteenth adj
• The paintings were made in the sixteenth century.
• He finished in sixteenth place.
- sixteenth adv
• She finished sixteenth in the race.
• the nation's sixteenth largest city

fifteenth

fifteenth [ordinal number]
US /fɪfˈtinθ/ 
Example: 

his fifteenth birthday

15th written as a word

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

his fifteenth birthday

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

fifteenth

 

 See main entry: fifteen

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fifteenth

 

fif·teenth [fifteenth fifteenths]   [ˌfɪfˈtiːnθ]  ;   [ˌfɪfˈtiːnθ]  ordinal number, noun  There are examples of how to use ordinal numbers at the entry for fifth.

 

 

Main entry: fifteen

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

fifteenth / ˌfɪfˈtiːnθ / ordinal number

15th written as a word:

Today is the fifteenth ( of June).

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fifteenth

[fɪ̱fti͟ːnθ]
 ♦♦
 ORD

 The fifteenth item in a series is the one that you count as number fifteen.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

fifteen

 

fif·teen /ˌfɪfˈtiːn/ noun, pl -teens [count] : the number 15
- fifteen adj
fifteen dollars
- fifteen pronoun
• Only fifteen (of them) showed up on time.
- fif·teenth /ˌfɪfˈtiːnɵ/ noun, pl -teenths [count]
• the fifteenth of September
• one fifteenth of the total
- fifteenth adj
• the fifteenth day
- fifteenth adv
• Their boat finished fifteenth.

fourteenth

fourteenth [ordinal number]
US /fɔrˈtinθ/ 
Example: 

the fourteenth floor

14th written as a word

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

the fourteenth floor

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

fourteenth

See main entry: fourteen

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fourteenth

 

four·teenth [fourteenth fourteenths]   [ˌfɔːˈtiːnθ]  ;   [ˌfɔːrˈtiːnθ]  ordinal number, noun  There are examples of how to use ordinal numbers at the entry for fifth.

Main entry: fourteen

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

fourteenth / ˌfɔːˈtiːnθ /   / ˌfɔːr- / ordinal number

14th written as a word:

Valentine's Day is the fourteenth ( of February).

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

fourteenth

[fɔ͟ː(r)ti͟ːnθ]
 ♦♦
 ORD

 The fourteenth item in a series is the one that you count as number fourteen.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

fourteen

 

four·teen /foɚˈtiːn/ noun, pl -teens [count] : the number 14
- fourteen adj
fourteen days
- fourteen pronoun
Fourteen (of them) are gone.
- four·teenth /foɚˈtiːnɵ/ noun, pl -teenths [count]
• The bill is due on the fourteenth (of the month).
• one fourteenth of the total
- fourteenth adj
• I finished (the race) in fourteenth place.
- fourteenth adv
• I finished fourteenth in the race.
• the nation's fourteenth largest city

concert

concert [noun]
US /ˈkɑːn.sɚt/ 
UK /ˈkɒn.sət/ 
Example: 

We went to a concert last night.

a performance given by musicians or singers

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

We went to a concert last night.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

concert

 noun
a public performance of music:
a rock concert

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

concert

concert S3 W3 /ˈkɒnsət $ ˈkɑːnsərt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: French; Origin: Italian concerto, from concertare; ⇨ ↑concerted]
1. a performance given by musicians or singers:
a rock concert
a concert of French choral music
We were going to a concert in Bath Abbey.
She still does about 100 concerts every year.
2. in concert (with somebody)
a) formal people who do something in concert do it together after having agreed on it:
Britain has to pursue policies in concert with other EU members.
It appeared that both the accused were acting in concert in the attack upon the deceased.
b) playing or singing at a concert:
They’re appearing in concert tonight at the Royal Concert Hall.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
go to a concert (also attend a concert formal) Do you want to go to the concert in the park this weekend?
give/do a concert The group gave concerts for charity throughout Europe.
play in/perform in a concert I'm playing in a jazz concert on Saturday night.
put on a concert (also stage a concert formal) (=arrange one) The music club puts on regular concerts throughout the year.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + concert
a pop/rock/jazz/classical concert There were 150,000 people at the rock concert in Frankfurt.
an orchestral concert/a symphony concert (=one in which an orchestra plays) Tickets for orchestral concerts range from $15 to $35.
a live concert (=that you watch as the performers play, rather than as a recording) a live concert in front of 500 fans
an open-air/outdoor concert Clapton thrilled fans at a huge outdoor concert in New York.
a charity concert (=performed to raise money for charity) 600 tickets have already been sold for the charity concert in June.
a gala concert (=performed to celebrate a special occasion) a 75th anniversary gala concert
a brass-band concert (=performed by a brass band)
■ nouns
a concert performance She gave a number of concert performances in Berlin.
a concert tour (=a journey made by musicians to perform in different places) This year we did a concert tour of the United States.
a concert hall On the last night, the concert hall was packed.
a concert ticket Concert tickets are available from $17.50.
a concert pianist (=who performs in concerts) Her ambition was to become a concert pianist.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

concert

 

con·cert [concert concerts concerted concerting]   [ˈkɒnsət]    [ˈkɑːnsərt]  noun
a public performance of music
• a concert of music by Bach
• a classical/rock/pop concert
• They're in concert at Wembley Arena.
• a concert hall/pianist
Idiom: in concert with somebody  
Word Origin:
late 16th cent. (in the sense ‘unite’): from French concerter, from Italian concertare ‘harmonize’. The noun use, dating from the early 17th cent. (in the sense ‘a combination of voices or sounds’), is from French concert, from Italian concerto, from concertare.  
Thesaurus:
concert noun C
• They performed a concert of music by Tallis.
recital • |especially BrE gig • |AmE, informal show
at a concert/recital/gig/show
a rock/charity/live concert/gig/show
a/an piano/organ/classical concert/recital
give/play/do/put on a concert/recital/gig/show 
Collocations:
Music
Listening
listen to/enjoy/love/be into music/classical music/jazz/pop/hip-hop, etc.
listen to the radio/an MP3 player/a CD
put on/play a CD/a song/some music
turn down/up the music/radio/volume/bass
go to a concert/festival/gig/performance/recital
copy/burn/rip music/a CD/a DVD
download music/an album/a song/a demo/a video
Playing
play a musical instrument/the piano/percussion/a note/a riff/the melody/a concerto/a duet/by ear
sing an anthem/a ballad/a solo/an aria/the blues/in a choir/soprano/alto/tenor/bass/out of tune
hum a tune/a theme tune/a lullaby
accompany a singer/choir
strum a chord/guitar
Performing
form/start/get together/join/quit/leave a band
give a performance/concert/recital
do a concert/recital/gig
play a concert/gig/festival/venue
perform (BrE) at/in a concert/(especially NAmE) a concert
appear at a festival/live
go on/embark on a (world) tour
Recording
write/compose music/a ballad/a melody/a tune/a song/a theme song/an opera/a symphony
land/get/sign a record deal
be signed to/be dropped by a record company
record/release/put out an album/a single/a CD
be top of/top the charts
get to/go straight to/go straight in at/enter the charts at number one 
Example Bank:
• He will be giving his farewell concert as Music Director of the Ulster Orchestra.
• She sang at a gala concert to celebrate the music of Stephen Sondheim.
• The Queen attended a gala concert at the Royal Festival Hall.
• The band is putting on its biggest concert of the year.
• The orchestra performs its final concert of the season tomorrow.
• We're organizing a concert for charity.
• a concert of military music
• They performed a concert of music by Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev.
• We saw Muse in concert at Reading Festival.

• a concert hall/pianist

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

concert / ˈkɒn.sət /   / ˈkɑːn.sɚt / noun [ C ]

A2 a performance of music by one or more musicians or singers:

a pop/classical concert

a school concert

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

concert

[kɒ̱nsə(r)t]
 ♦♦♦
 concerts

 1) N-COUNT A concert is a performance of music.
  ...a short concert of piano music...
  I've been to plenty of live rock concerts.
  ...a new concert hall.
 2) PHRASE: PHR after v If a musician or group of musicians appears in concert, they are giving a live performance.
  I want people to remember Elvis in concert.
 3) PHRASE: PHR after v If a number of people do something in concert, they do it together. [FORMAL]
  He wants to act in concert with other nations.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

concert

 

con·cert /ˈkɑːnsɚt/ noun, pl -certs [count] : a public performance of music
• a rock concert
• a classical concert
• The orchestra will be giving/having/holding a free concert.
- sometimes used before another noun
• a live concert performance
• a concert pianist
• a concert hall
in concert
1 formal : together
• The FBI and the local police acted in concert to solve the murder.
- often + with
• The FBI acted in concert with the local police to solve the murder.
2 : performing at a concert
• I went to hear them in concert. [=in a public performance]

early

eraly [adjective]
US /ˈɝː.li/ 
UK /ˈɜː.li/ 
Example: 

I woke up early in the morning

usually before noun near the beginning of a period of time

Persian equivalent: 
Example: 

In the early Renaissance

 

Oxford Essential Dictionary

early

 adjective, adverb (earlier, earliest)

1 near the beginning of a period of time:
Come in the early afternoon.
She was in her early twenties (= aged between 20 and about 23 or 24).
I have to get up early tomorrow.

2 before the usual or right time:
The train arrived ten minutes early.
You're early! It's only half past six.
I was early for the lesson.
 opposite late

have an early night to go to bed earlier than usual:
I'm really tired, I think I'll have an early night.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

early

I.   adjective

I. early1 S1 W1 /ˈɜːli $ ˈɜːrli/ adjective (comparative earlier, superlative earliest)
 [Language: Old English; Origin: ærlice, from ær 'early, soon']
 1. FIRST PART  in the first part of a period of time, event, or process:
   • the early morning sunshine
   • an afternoon in early spring
   • In the early days, the railways mainly carried goods.
   • She is in her early twenties.
   • the recession of the early 1980s
   • The money could be paid as early as next week.
   • He spent the early part of his career at St John’s Hospital.
   • the experiences of early childhood
   • the early works of Shakespeare
   • My earliest memories are of fruit trees.
   • Early signs are encouraging.
 2. BEFORE USUAL  arriving or happening before the usual or expected time OPP late
  five minutes/three hours etc early
   • The bus was ten minutes early.
  early for
   • I was a few minutes early for my appointment.
   • David decided to take early retirement (=stop working before the normal age).
   • She drank herself into an early grave (=died younger than is normal).
 3. BEGINNING  used to emphasize that something has just begun, especially when you do not know how it will develop:
   • It’s too early to say what will happen.
   • It’s early days yet. I don’t want to make any predictions.
 4. NEW THING  [only before noun] being one of the first people, events, machines etc:
   • Early motor cars had very poor brakes.
   • fossil evidence of early man
 5. the early hours the time between midnight and morning:
   • I didn’t finally get to bed until the early hours.
  in the early hours of something
   • The attack happened in the early hours of Sunday morning.
 6. an early start a start made very early in the day because you have a lot to do, far to go etc:
   • We need to make an early start tomorrow.
 7. at/from an early age when you are very young, or starting when you were very young:
   • She’s played tennis from a very early age.
 8. an early night if you have an early night, you go to bed earlier than usual OPP a late night
  have/get an early night
   • I think I’ll get an early night.
 9. early bird/early riser someone who always gets up very early in the morning
 10. the early bird catches the worm used to say that if you do something early or before other people, you will be successful
 11. early potatoes/lettuces etc potatoes etc that are ready to be picked before any others
     • • •

COLLOCATIONS■ nouns

   ▪ early morning/afternoon/eveningThe lake looked beautiful in the pale early morning light.
   ▪ early spring/summer etcThese plants produce flowers from early spring to late summer.
   ▪ early August/January etcItaly is lovely in early June, before it gets too hot.
   ▪ the early days/months/years of something (=the period of time near the beginning of something)In the early years of our marriage, we lived with my wife’s parents.
   ▪ in your early twenties/forties etc (=aged 20–23, 40–43 etc)Both men are in their early twenties.
   ▪ the early 1920s/1970s etc (=1920–23, 1970–73 etc)He lived in London in the early 1980s.
   ▪ sb’s early childhood/adolescence/life (=when someone is a young child, adolescent etc)We’ve known each other since early childhood.
   ▪ an early stage (=near the beginning of a process)Patients can be treated with drugs, especially at the early stage of the disease.
   ▪ the early part of something (=near the beginning of an event or period of time)I was doing quite well in the early part of the race.
   ▪ sb’s earliest memory (=the first thing you can remember about something from your past)One of my earliest memories is of being at a busy railway station, trying to find my mum.
     • • •

THESAURUS

   ▪ early arriving or happening before the usual or expected time: • For once, the train arrived early. | • Let’s have an early lunch before we go.
   ▪ in good time especially British English early enough, so that you do not have to rush, or so that you have time to get ready: • Everything was ready for the party in good time.
   ▪ on time arriving somewhere or happening at the right time: • The bus was on time. | • The project was finished on time.
   ▪ ahead of time earlier than the time when you have arranged to do something or than when you need something: • The building work was completed ahead of time. | • Some of the food can be prepared ahead of time.
   ▪ ahead of schedule earlier than the officially agreed time: • The Prime Minister called the elections early, five months ahead of schedule.
   ▪ with time to spare arriving somewhere or finishing something before the time when you have to arrive or finish: • We got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. | • I finished the test with time to spare.
   ▪ first thing especially spoken immediately after you get up, or as soon as you start work: • I’ll telephone her first thing tomorrow.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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 

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

early / ˈɜː.li /   / ˈɝː- / adjective , adverb ( earlier , earliest )

A1 near the beginning of a period of time, or before the usual, expected, or planned time:

If you finish early you can go home.

If you arrived earlier, you'd have more time.

I like being a little early for interviews.

They scored two goals early (on) in the game.

I hate having to get up early ( in the morning).

I'm going to have an early night (= go to sleep before my usual time) .

She was a poet living in the early 15th century.

He learned to read at the early age of three.

It 's rather early to be sowing carrot seeds, isn't it?

Mercedes were pioneers during the early days/years of car manufacture.

My earliest (= first) memory is of being shown around our new house.

These are some of my early (= first) attempts at sculpture.

Here's a dish I prepared earlier (= I made a short time ago) .

→  Compare late adjective adverb (NEAR THE END)

Early flowers and vegetables are ones that are ready before ordinary ones. at the earliest C2 used after a date or time to show that something will not happen before then:

I'm very busy, so I won't be with you till four o'clock at the earliest.

© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

early

/ɜ:(r)li/
(earlier, earliest)

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.

1.
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?
late
ADV: ADV after v

Early is also an adjective.
I decided that I was going to take early retirement...
I planned an early night.
ADJ: ADJ n

2.
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.
late
ADJ: ADJ n

Early is also an adverb.
We’ll hope to see you some time early next week.
...early in the season.
ADV: ADV with cl, ADV n/prep

3.
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.
late
ADV: ADV after v

Early is also an adjective.
I’m always early.
ADJ

4.
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...
It’s too early to declare his efforts a success.
ADJ: ADJ n

5.
Early means near the beginning of something such as a piece of work or a process.
...the book’s early chapters.
ADJ: ADJ n

Early is also an adverb.
...an incident which occurred much earlier in the game.
ADV: ADV with cl, ADV prep

6.
Early refers to plants which flower or crop before or at the beginning of the main season.
...these early cabbages and cauliflowers.
ADJ: ADJ n

Early is also an adverb.
...early flowering shrubs.
ADV: ADV with v

7.
Early reports or indications of something are the first reports or indications about it. (FORMAL)
The early indications look encouraging...
ADJ: ADJ n

8.
You can use as early as to emphasize that a particular time or period is surprisingly early.
Inflation could fall back into single figures as early as this month.
PHRASE: PHR n [emphasis]

9.
If you say about something that might be true that it is early days, you mean that it is too soon for you to be completely sure about it. (INFORMAL)
PHRASE: V inflects

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

early

2early adj earlier; -est
1 a : existing or happening near the beginning of a period of time
early morning
• the early 20th century
• He is in his early thirties. [=he is about 31 or 32 years old]
• She works the early shift. [=the shift that is in the early part of the day]
• It was still early (in the morning) when she got out of bed.
- opposite late
b always used before a noun : happening near the beginning of a process, activity, series, etc.
• the early symptoms of the disease
• the composer's early works [=works created at the beginning of the composer's career]
• The early part of the book is better than the later part.
2 a : coming or happening before the usual or expected time
• We had an early spring this year.
• an early bedtime
• We're early. The show doesn't start for half an hour.
- opposite late
b : doing something before the usual time or before others usually do
• I've always been an early riser.
• My daughter was an early reader. [=she learned to read at a young age]
✦The expression the early bird catches/gets the worm means that people who start or arrive before others are more likely to succeed.
- opposite late
early days (yet) Brit
- used to say that it is too soon to know how something will turn out
• Things haven't gone well so far, but it's early days yet.
early hours
- see hour
get/make an early start : to get started on a journey, activity, etc., early in the day
• We want to make an early start tomorrow.
make an early night of it : to go home or go to bed early
• They decided to make an early night of it.

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