early
adjective
UK/ˈɜː.li/US/ˈɜːr.li/
Happening or done before the usual or expected time.
Example Sentences
She arrived early to prepare for the meeting.
The birds start singing early in the morning.
He is an early riser and wakes up before sunrise.
The project received early funding, allowing it to start ahead of time.
They celebrated their early success with a small party.
The train was scheduled to leave at 7 AM, but it arrived early.
Her early dedication to the cause made a significant impact.
The early stages of development are crucial for the project's success.
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Antonyms
adverb
UK/ˈɜː.li/US/ˈɜːr.li/
Before the usual or expected time.
Example Sentences
She finished the assignment early and submitted it ahead of the deadline.
He woke up early to catch the first train.
They arrived early at the airport to avoid long security lines.
The team started working on the project early in the morning.
She made her purchase early to take advantage of the discount.
He spoke early in the meeting to present his ideas.
The flowers bloomed early this spring due to the warm weather.
They left for the trip early to maximize their time at the destination.
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noun (countable)
UK/ˈɜː.li/US/ˈɜːr.li/
An early period or stage in a process.
Example Sentences
During the early of the project, they focused on research and development.
The company is looking for ways to streamline operations in the early of the business cycle.
Early is a crucial time for setting the foundation of any new initiative.
They encountered several challenges in the early of their partnership.
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How to Use
Occurring or acting sooner than expected or customary.“Early” can serve as an adjective or an adverb, describing something that occurs or is done before the regular or anticipated time. In everyday usage, you might say, “I arrived early to avoid traffic,” emphasizing you showed up sooner than usual. If giving instructions, you could advise, “Order your tickets early to ensure good seats,” highlighting the importance of planning ahead. It also appears in phrases like “early bird,” referring to someone who rises or arrives ahead of others, or “early stages,” denoting the initial phase of a process. “Early” typically contrasts with “late,” making it useful to convey timeliness or advanced preparedness. Whether you are signaling punctuality at an event or urging others not to delay, “early” neatly conveys the notion that something happened before the time most people would expect.
Alternatives
If you want alternatives to “early,” consider synonyms like “in advance,” “ahead of time,” or “premature.” “In advance” often fits instructions or polite requests, such as “Please RSVP in advance.” “Ahead of time” highlights planning and punctuality—“She finished her assignments ahead of time.” “Premature” underscores something happening before it’s fully ready or expected, often used in medical or technical contexts (e.g., “a premature decision” or “premature birth”). Each alternative gives a slightly different emphasis: “in advance” feels polite and measured, “ahead of time” is more colloquial, and “premature” suggests undesired or risky precociousness. By selecting the right term, you’ll capture the specific shade of meaning that “early” might otherwise convey, from simple earliness to the idea of acting before full readiness.
Writing
When writing with “early,” specify the context to help readers grasp whether it’s a beneficial head start or an untimely rush. For instance, “The early onset of winter surprised many” highlights a seasonal change that occurred sooner than expected. In contrast, “He made an early move to secure the deal” showcases strategic planning or advantage. Vary sentence structures to prevent repetition—for example, alternate forms like “earlier than anticipated” or pair it with nouns (“early stages,” “early signs”) to clarify meaning. In formal or academic texts, you can replace “early” with more specific terms, like “preliminary,” when discussing initial phases of research or experimentation. Including precise details—why or how something happened ahead of schedule—adds depth and clarity to your writing. This ensures that “early” remains an intentional choice, guiding your audience’s understanding of timing, causality, and impact.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, “early” is a staple for talking about schedules, routines, and small daily surprises. You might say, “I woke up early today and had time for a walk,” or “They showed up early to beat the line.” Friends might ask, “Why are you here so early?” if you arrive noticeably sooner than everyone else. Phrases like “early bird” and “bright and early” come up frequently among people who pride themselves on starting the day sooner. When plans shift, you might hear remarks like, “Let’s head out a bit early to snag good seats.” Because “early” is so flexible, it’s a comfortable, universally understood term, making it easy to slip into informal chats. Whether referencing an event that arrived before its due date or praising someone’s promptness, “early” conveys readiness, efficiency, and sometimes even a touch of surprise in everyday banter.
Etymology
“Early” originates from Old English “ǣrlice,” formed from “ǣr,” meaning “soon” or “before,” with the suffix “-lice” suggesting an adverbial sense. Related Germanic roots (like Old High German “ēr”) share the concept of ‘beforehand’ or ‘sooner.’ Over centuries, “early” consolidated into a single, versatile word covering both adjective and adverb uses—describing times, arrivals, or conditions that precede a typical or expected schedule. Its broad application reflects social and cultural emphasis on punctuality and preparedness, whether in agrarian societies needing to rise with the sun or in modern lifestyles that prize getting a head start. Even as routines and technologies change, the timeless concept of “early” endures as a linguistic reminder of being ahead of schedule—or at least, not behind.
