English▸ adjective
(earlier, earliest)
1 happening or done before the usual or expected time:
we ate an early lunch.
▪ (of a plant or crop) flowering or ripening before other varieties:
early potatoes.
2 happening, belonging to, or done near the beginning of a particular time or period:
an early goal secured victory.
▪ done or occurring near the beginning of the day:
we agreed to meet at 6 a.m. to get an early start.
▪ denoting or belonging to the beginning or opening stages of a historical period, cultural movement, or sphere of activity:
early impressionism.
▪ occurring at the beginning of a sequence:
the earlier chapters of the book.
▸ adverb
– PHRASES
at the earliest
not before the time or date specified:
a person who rises, arrives, or acts before the usual or expected time:
a premature or untimely death:
the time after midnight and before dawn:
an occasion when someone goes to bed before the usual time:
at an initial stage in a particular time or period:
at a previous stage in a particular time or period:
at the earliest
not before the time or date specified:
the table won't be delivered until next week at the earliest.
early bird humorous a person who rises, arrives, or acts before the usual or expected time:
he was always an early bird
[as modifier] many cruise lines offer early-bird discounts for people who plan ahead.
an early grave a premature or untimely death:
he worked himself into an early grave.
the early hours the time after midnight and before dawn:
the bar stays open until the early hours.
an early night an occasion when someone goes to bed before the usual time:
I think I'll have an early night.
early on at an initial stage in a particular time or period:
they discovered early on that the published data were wrong.
earlier on at a previous stage in a particular time or period:
hints were dropped about it earlier on.