First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1early
adverb ear·ly \ˈər-lē\
: at or near the beginning of a period of time or a process, activity, series, etc.
: before the usual or expected time
ear·li·erear·li·est
Full 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 early defined for English-language learners
See early defined for kids
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Origin of EARLY
Middle English erly, from Old English ǣrlīce, from ǣr early, soon — more at ere
Related to EARLY
- Synonyms
- beforehand, inopportunely, precociously, prematurely, unseasonably
2early
adjective
: existing or happening near the beginning of a period of time
: happening near the beginning of a process, activity, series, etc.
: coming or happening before the usual or expected time
ear·li·erear·li·est
Full 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
See early defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of EARLY
13th century
Early
biographical name Ear·ly \ˈər-lē\
Definition of EARLY
Ju*bal \ˈjü-bəl\ Anderson 1816–1894 Am. Confed. gen.
EARLIEST Defined for Kids
1early
adverb ear·ly \ˈər-lē\
ear·li·erear·li·est
Definition of EARLY for Kids
1
: at or near the beginning of a period of time <woke up early> <early in my career>
2
: before the usual or expected time <arrived early>
2early
adjective
ear·li·erear·li·est
Definition of EARLY for Kids
: occurring near the beginning or before the usual time <early morning>
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