Main Entry: ¹ear·ly

Pronunciation: \ˈər-lē\

Function: adverb

Inflected Form(s): ear·li·er; ear·li·est

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

Date: before 12th century

1 a : 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>
2 a : before the usual or expected time <the train arrived early> b archaic : soon c : sooner than related forms <these apples bear early>