Early meaning

What does “early” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“early” is an adjective and adverb with 9 meanings. Its most common meaning is: at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time.

early

adjective

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
“early morning”
“an early warning”
Oppositesmiddle late
being or occurring at an early stage of development
“in an early stage”
“early forms of life”
Oppositeslate
belonging to the distant past
“the early inhabitants of Europe”
“former generations”
Synonymsformer other
very young
“at an early age”
of an early stage in the development of a language or literature
“the Early Hebrew alphabetical script is that used mainly from the 11th to the 6th centuries B.C.”
“Early Modern English is represented in documents printed from 1476 to 1700”
Oppositesmiddle late
expected in the near future
“look for an early end to the negotiations”

adverb

during an early stage
“early on in her career”
Synonymsearly on
before the usual time or the time expected
“she graduated early”
“the house was completed ahead of time”
Synonymsahead of time too soon
Oppositeslate
in good time
“he awoke betimes that morning”
Synonymsbetimes

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University

More about “early”

✦Synonyms for early✦Words that rhyme with early✦Unscramble EARLY