early birdEnglishOxford Dictionary of Englishearly bird /ˈəːli ˌbəːd / ▸ noun 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. – PHRASES the early bird catches the worm proverb the person who takes the earliest opportunity to do something will gain the advantage over others.