Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
Earlier is the comparative of early .
2.
Earlier is used to refer to a point or period in time before the present or before the one you are talking about.
As mentioned ~, the University supplements this information with an interview...
Earlier, it had been hoped to use the indoor track.
...political reforms announced by the President ~ this year...
Many years ~, Grundy had given The Beatles their first television break.
ADV: ADV with v, ADV with cl, oft amount ADV
•
Earlier is also an adjective.
Earlier reports of gunshots have not been substantiated.
ADJ: ADJ n