early
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1ear·ly
adverb \ˈər-lē\ear·li·erear·li·est
Definition of EARLY
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>
See Examples of EARLY
- Early in his career he moved to the city.
- a word first recorded early in the 17th century
- They were trailing by a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
- The package should be arriving early next week.
- She arrived early to help with the preparations.
- I got up early to finish packing.
Origin of EARLY
Middle English erly, from Old English ǣrlīce, from ǣr early, soon — more at ere
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to EARLY
- Synonyms
- beforehand, inopportunely, precociously, prematurely, unseasonably
2early
adjectiveear·li·erear·li·est
Definition of EARLY
1
a : 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>
2
a : 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>
— ear·li·ness noun
Examples of EARLY
- the early symptoms of the disease
- The early part of the book is better than the later part.
- We had an early spring this year.
- We're early. The show doesn't start for half an hour.
- I've always been an early riser.
First Known Use of EARLY
13th century
Ear·ly
biographical name \ˈər-lē\Definition of EARLY
Ju*bal \ˈjü-bəl\ Anderson 1816–1894 Am. Confed. gen.
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