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early

ear·ly [ ˈər-lē]

earlier; earliest

early

adverb

[ˈər-lē]

Definition of early

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : near the beginning of a period of time
//awoke early in the morning

b : near the beginning of a course, process, or series
//early in his senatorial career

2a : before the usual or expected time
//the train arrived early

b archaic : soon

c : sooner than related forms
//these apples bear early

early

adjective

earlier; earliest

Definition of early (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : of, relating to, or occurring near the beginning of a period of time, a development, or a series
//in the early evening the early symptoms of the disease

b(1) : distant in past time

(2) : primitive
//early tools

2a : occurring before the usual or expected time
//an early arrival

b : occurring in the near future
//at your earliest convenience

c : maturing or producing sooner than related forms
//an early peach

early

biographical

[ˈər-lē]

Definition of Early (Entry 3 of 3)

Ju*bal \ ˈjü-bəl \ Anderson 1816–1894 American Confederate general

Other Words from early

Adjective

earliness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Adjective

Synonyms: Adverb

Synonyms: Antonyms:adjective

late

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb
//Trump’s defenders note that while former president Barack Obama’s administration never authorized large government or private weapons sales to Ukraine, Trump early in 2017 approved the largest commercial sale of weapons to Kyiv since 2014.
— John Walcott, Time, "Trump Ignored Consensus U.S. Intelligence Report in Pressuring Ukraine," 16 Nov. 2019
//So Tuesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena, the Heat did the kicking -- well at least enough early -- to push past a Detroit Pistons team that had lost the previous night at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
— Ira Winderman, sun-sentinel.com, "Heat push past weary, shorthanded Pistons to 7-3 record with 117-108 victory," 13 Nov. 2019
//Rask, who made several strong stops early, was at fault for Hoffman’s 4-3 goal at 9:43 of the third.
— BostonGlobe.com, "Florida backup Sam Montembeault stopped Chris Wagner, Brad Marchand, and Charlie McAvoy in the fourth round to give the Panthers (9-4-5) a win.," 13 Nov. 2019
//In conversations with the Trump campaign as early as April 2016, Mr. Gates said, Mr. Stone had predicted releases of Democratic documents that would prove helpful to Mr. Trump.
— New York Times, "Trump Predicted More Leaks Amid WikiLeaks Releases in 2016, Ex-Aide Testifies," 12 Nov. 2019
//Booked until November 2020, the Hunting High And Low Live tour is currently winding its way across Europe, followed by dates in United Arab Emirates and South Africa early in the new year, and a rare tour Down Under.
— Lars Brandle, Billboard, "A-ha's Mags Furuholmen Reflects on 'Take on Me' And Recording a Bond Theme," 7 Nov. 2019
//With both Tillman and Kithier — who backs him up at center — in foul trouble early, freshman Julius Marble was also called on at power forward.
— Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan State observations: Cassius Winston gets little help in loss to Kentucky," 6 Nov. 2019
//Can the prime editor target a large deletion (adding back as many as five exons) and if so, can it be done that early in the sequence?
— Sharon Begley, STAT, "You had questions for David Liu about CRISPR, prime editing, and advice to young scientists. He has answers," 6 Nov. 2019
//There are early, early contenders like The Farewell, which earned raves out of Sundance in January and Booksmart and Us, both of which made waves at SXSW in March.
— Lauren Huff, EW.com, "The Awardist podcast: Inside the early Oscars and Golden Globes contenders," 5 Nov. 2019
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
//To highlight earlier experiences without presenting too much information, consider the byline technique.
— Dear Sam | Expert Resume, al, "How to build an engaging resume before applying for your dream job," 15 Nov. 2019
//But earlier this year, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the bills need new security features, and won’t be ready until 2026 at the earliest.
— NBC News, "Why 'Harriet' doesn't mention the $20 bill," 15 Nov. 2019
//This early experience informs Wells’s überpersonal fourth novel, The End of Loneliness (Penguin Books), an international phenomenon that won the European Union Prize for Literature.
— Chloe Schama, Vogue, "The Best Novels of 2019," 14 Nov. 2019
//Special attention: Wilson Mills Road A Home Depot employee reported Nov. 8 that earlier in the day, a customer had asked an associate several questions about the store’s security cameras.
— cleveland, "Car stolen from gas station: Highland Heights Police Blotter," 14 Nov. 2019
//Vanderbilt pulled within three early in the second period before UConn started to pull away.
— Alexa Philippou, courant.com, "‘This time, I mean it’: Geno Auriemma says things aren’t going to be easy this season following up-and-down Vanderbilt win," 14 Nov. 2019
//Benjamin’s quarterback keeper a play later made it 14-7 early in the second quarter.
— Alvaro Montano, Houston Chronicle, "Cy Creek opens playoffs with victory over Westside," 14 Nov. 2019
//In Indianapolis, the National Weather Service said Tuesday morning’s frigid temperature of 8 degrees set the record for the coldest temperature this early in the season.
— John Ismay, New York Times, "The Arctic Plunge: From Feeling Like 92 to Freezing in a Day," 12 Nov. 2019
//The 2020-21 school year will end June 18 at the earliest, if instructional days are not disrupted by inclement weather.
— Taylor Deville, baltimoresun.com, "Before or after Labor Day? Maryland school boards debate 2020-21 calendar start date," 11 Nov. 2019

First Known Use of early

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for early

Adverb

Middle English erly, from Old English ǣrlīce, from ǣr early, soon — more at ere

Dictionary Entries near early

Phrases Related to early

at someone's earliest opportunity

at the earliest

at/from an early age

bright and early

call it an early night

drive (someone) to an early grave

early day

More Synonyms and Antonyms ofearly

Synonyms & Antonyms of early

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period

early birds of the Jurassic period

Synonyms for early

Words Related to early

Near Antonyms for early

Antonyms for early

late

2 occurring before the usual or expected time

we had an early dinner so as not to miss the concert

Synonyms for early

Words Related to early

Near Antonyms for early

Antonyms for early

late

early

adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms of early (Entry 2 of 2)

before the usual or expected time

that year spring arrived early

Synonyms for early

Words Related to early

Antonyms for early

More Definitions forearly

early

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of early

(Entry 1 of 2)

: at or near the beginning of a period of time or a process, activity, series, etc.

: before the usual or expected time

early

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of early (Entry 2 of 2)

: existing or happening near the beginning of a period of time

: happening near the beginning of a process, activity, series, etc.

: coming or happening before the usual or expected time

early

adverb

ear·ly | \ ˈər-lē \

earlier; earliest

Kids Definition of early

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : at or near the beginning of a period of time
//woke up early early in my career

2 : before the usual or expected time
//arrived early

early

adjective

earlier; earliest

Kids Definition of early (Entry 2 of 2)

: occurring near the beginning or before the usual time
//early morning