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 belonging or happening near the beginning of a particular period:
an early goal secured victory
she's in her early fifties.
▪ done or occurring near the beginning of the day:
we agreed to meet at 6 am to get an early start.
▪ denoting or belonging to the beginning of a historical period or cultural movement:
early impressionism.
▪ occurring at the beginning of a sequence:
the earlier chapters of the book.
▸ adverb
2 near the beginning of a particular time or period:
we lost a couple of games early in the season.
▪ near the beginning of the day:
I wrote this piece early one morning.
▪ (earlier) before the present time or before the time one is referring to:
you met my husband earlier.
– PHRASES
at the earliest not before the time or date specified:
the table won't be delivered until next week at the earliest.
early doors British English informal
early on, especially in a game or contest:
early on, especially in a game or contest:
you should try to wind up their star player early doors.
[apparently originally with reference to admission to a music hall some time before the start of the performance]
an early night
an occasion when someone goes to bed before the usual time:
an occasion when someone goes to bed before the usual time:
I think I'll have an early night.