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at the earliest

Definition of at the earliest

—used to indicate the earliest possible time when something will happen or be done

The job will not be finished until next year at the (very) earliest.

Word by Word Definitions

early play earliest

: near the beginning of a period of time
: near the beginning of a course, process, or series
: before the usual or expected time

: of, relating to, or occurring near the beginning of a period of time, a development, or a series
: distant in past time
: primitive

See the full definition of early

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