/ ˈɜːli; NAmE ˈɜːrli/ adjective , adverb
■ adjective ( earl·ier , earli·est )
1.
near the beginning of a period of time, an event etc. :
the early morning
my earliest memories
The project is still in the early stages.
the early 1990s
in the early days of space exploration (= when it was just beginning)
The earliest possible date I can make it is the third.
He's in his early twenties.
Mozart's early works (= those written at the beginning of his career)
Early booking is essential, as space is limited.
2.
arriving, or done before the usual, expected or planned time :
You're early! I wasn't expecting you till seven.
The bus was ten minutes early.
an early breakfast
Let's make an early start tomorrow.
She's an early riser (= she gets up early in the morning) .
He learnt to play the piano at an early age .
early potatoes (= that are ready to eat at the beginning of the season)
OPP late
► earli·ness noun [ U ]
•
IDIOMS
- an early bird
- at your earliest convenience
- the early bird catches the worm
- it's early days (yet)
—more at bright adjective , hour , night
■ adverb ( earl·ier , earli·est )
1.
near the beginning of a period of time, an event, a piece of work, etc. :
early in the week / year / season / morning
The best rooms go to those who book earliest.
We arrived early the next day.
He started writing music as early as 1989.
OPP late
2.
before the usual, expected or planned time :
The bus came five minutes early.
I woke up early this morning.
The baby arrived earlier than expected.
OPP late
3.
earlier before the present time or the time mentioned :
As I mentioned earlier ...
a week earlier
She had seen him earlier in the day.
OPP later
•
IDIOMS
- early on
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English (as an adverb) ǣrlīce (see ere , -ly ), influenced by Old Norse árliga . The adjective use dates from Middle English .