early

adjective

UK /ˈɜː(r)li/

Word Forms

adjective	early
comparative	earlier
superlative	earliest

1
usually before nounnear the beginning of a period of time
In the early 1980s, several thousand jobs were lost.
The temperature drops to below freezing in the early evening.
The plants flower in early spring.
Synonyms and related words
From or at the beginning
original
initial
early
1. 1a
  used about periods in someone’s life
  From an early age, Chaplin believed in his talents.
  memories of my early childhood
  Julia is in her early thirties.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for childhood and adolescence
  adolescence
  a misspent youth
  babyish
2. 1b
  used about the first part of an activity, process, or event
  The project is still in its very early stages.
  It is too early to predict whether the unemployment rate has peaked.
  in the early days (=soon after something began):
  We didn’t think much about the environment in those early days.
  Synonyms and related words
  From or at the beginning
  original
  initial
  early
3. 1c
  used about periods of history
  in the early Middle Ages
  Synonyms and related words
  Related to history and the past
  historical
  early
  date back to
2
before the time that something usually happens
Spring was unusually early that year.
Let’s have an early lunch and then go to the cinema.
Is it too early to phone them?
Synonyms and related words
Before a time or event
before
first
early
1. 2a
  before the time that something is expected or arranged to happen
  My train was ten minutes early.
  early for:
  You’re a little early for the party.
  Synonyms and related words
  Before a time or event
  before
  first
  early
3
used about the first people or things of a particular type
The early settlers used to heat their cabins with coal.
early editions of the novel
Synonyms and related words
From or at the beginning
original
initial
early
4
early crops or flowers are ready to be picked before others of the same type
early peaches/roses
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe plants and plant parts
algal
androgynous
aquatic

phrases

the early hours

an early start

it’s early days

early

adjective

US /ˈɜrli/

Word Forms

adjective	early
comparative	earlier
superlative	earliest

1
before the time that something is expected or arranged to happen
My train was ten minutes early.
early for:
You’re a little early for the party.
Synonyms and related words
Before a time or event
before
first
early
1. 1a
  before the time that something usually happens
  Spring was unusually early that year.
  Let’s have an early lunch and then go to the movies.
  Is it too early to call them?
  Synonyms and related words
  Before a time or event
  before
  first
  early
2
usually before nounnear the beginning of a period of time
The plants flower in early spring.
The temperature drops to below freezing in the early evening.
In the early 1980s, several thousand jobs were lost.
Synonyms and related words
From or at the beginning
original
initial
early
1. 2a
  used about periods in someone’s life
  Julia is in her early thirties.
  memories of my early childhood
  From an early age, Chaplin believed in his talents.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for childhood and adolescence
  adolescence
  a misspent youth
  babyish
2. 2b
  used about the first part of an activity, process, or event
  The project is still in its very early stages.
  It is too early to predict whether the unemployment rate has peaked.
  in the early days (=soon after something began):
  We didn’t think much about the environment in those early days.
  Synonyms and related words
  From or at the beginning
  original
  initial
  early
3. 2c
  used about periods of history
  in the early Middle Ages
  Synonyms and related words
  Related to history and the past
  historical
  early
  date back to
3
used about the first people or things of a particular type
The early settlers used to heat their cabins with wood.
early editions of the novel
Synonyms and related words
From or at the beginning
original
initial
early
4
early crops or flowers are ready to be picked before others of the same type
early peaches/roses
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe plants and plant parts
algal
androgynous
aquatic

phrases

the early hours

an early start

it’s early in the day

early

adverb

UK /ˈɜː(r)li/

Word Forms

comparative	earlier
superlative	earliest

1
before the usual or expected time
I don’t get up very early.
The flight arrived ten minutes early.
Synonyms and related words
Before a time or event
before
first
early
2
near the beginning of a period of time
Let’s meet again early next week.
early in:
These simple plants appeared very early in the history of life on Earth.
Synonyms and related words
From or at the beginning
original
initial
early
1. 2a
  near the beginning of someone’s life
  His genius as a musician was shown very early.
  early in:
  She was widowed very early in life.
  Synonyms and related words
  From or at the beginning
  original
  initial
  early
2. 2b
  near the beginning of an event or activity
  early in:
  It’s best not to rush things this early in your career.
  Synonyms and related words
  From or at the beginning
  original
  initial
  early
3
near the beginning of a piece of writing
early in:
This point was discussed earlier in the chapter.
Synonyms and related words
Referring to parts of documents or pieces of writing
above
below
after
4
soon enough to avoid problems
If we begin the treatment early, we have a better chance of success.
Synonyms and related words
Soon and as soon as possible
soon
shortly
just

phrases

as early as

early on

early

adverb

US /ˈɜrli/

Word Forms

comparative	earlier
superlative	earliest

1
before the usual or expected time
I don’t get up very early.
The flight arrived ten minutes early.
Synonyms and related words
Before a time or event
before
first
early
2
near the beginning of a period of time
Let’s meet again early next week.
early in:
These simple plants appeared very early in the history of life on Earth.
Synonyms and related words
From or at the beginning
original
initial
early
1. 2a
  near the beginning of someone’s life
  His genius as a musician was shown very early.
  early in:
  She was widowed very early in life.
  Synonyms and related words
  From or at the beginning
  original
  initial
  early
2. 2b
  near the beginning of an event or activity
  early in:
  It’s best not to rush things this early in your career.
  Synonyms and related words
  From or at the beginning
  original
  initial
  early
3
near the beginning of a piece of writing
early in:
This point was discussed earlier in the chapter.
Synonyms and related words
Referring to parts of documents or pieces of writing
above
below
after
4
soon enough to avoid problems
If we begin the treatment early, we have a better chance of success.
Synonyms and related words
Soon and as soon as possible
soon
shortly
just

phrases

as early as

early on

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