early

1 of 2

adverb

ear·​ly ˈər-lē 

earlier; earliest

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

early

2 of 2

adjective

earlier; earliest

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

earliness noun

Synonyms of early

Adverb

• immediately
• prematurely
• promptly

Adjective

• ancient
• primitive
• prehistoric
• primal

Examples of early in a Sentence

Adverb

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.

Adjective

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

At a bond hearing earlier this year, Fernandez Saldana’s attorney said there was no proof his client’s guilt was evident, CNN affiliate Action News Jax reported. — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Davis is accused of orchestrating the murder by allegedly giving his crew the order to open fire on Shakur and Knight in retaliation for a fight earlier that night. — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026

Adjective

With help from within, advice from top prospect Kevin McGonigle in the Arizona Fall League and a return to his collegiate swing and approach, King thrived in his early-season stint with Double-A Harrisburg. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Temperatures in Luxor often exceed 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius) in early August. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

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

First Known Use

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing early

• at/from an early age
• bright and early
• call it an early night
• drive (someone) to an early grave
• drove him to an early grave
• early bird
• early day
• early days (yet)
• early in life
• early/late in the game
• early on
• get/make an early start
• make an early night of it

Rhymes for early

• burley
• burly
• curly
• girlie
• girly
• hurly
• pearly
• surly

Kids Definition

early

1 of 2 adverb

ear·​ly ˈər-lē 

earlier; earliest

1

: near the beginning of a period of time or of a process or series

woke up early

2

: before the usual or expected time

arrived early

early

2 of 2 adjective

earlier; earliest

1

a

: of, relating to, or occurring near the beginning of a period of time, a development, or a series

in the early evening

b

: primitive

early art forms

2

a

: occurring before the usual or expected time

had an early winter

b

: maturing or producing sooner than related forms

an early peach

earliness noun

Biographical Definition

Early

biographical name

Ear·​ly ˈər-lē 

Ju*bal ˈjü-bəl  Anderson 1816–1894 American Confederate general