earlier; earliest
Definition of early
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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
2a
: before the usual or expected time
the train arrived early
c
: sooner than related forms
these apples bear early
early
adjective
earlier; earliest
Definition of early (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: 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
2a
: 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for early
The first known use of early was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century