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 early early /ˈɝːli/

adjective

  1. () At or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time  ( early )
    at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
     Early morning
    early morning
     An early warning
    an early warning
     Early diagnosis
    early diagnosis
     An early death
    an early death
     Took early retirement
    took early retirement
     An early spring
    an early spring
     Early varieties of peas and tomatoes mature before most standard varieties
    early varieties of peas and tomatoes mature before most standard varieties
  2. () Being or occurring at an early stage of development  ( early )
    being or occurring at an early stage of development
     In an early stage
    in an early stage
     Early forms of life
    early forms of life
     Early man
    early man
     An early computer
    an early computer
  3. () Belonging to the distant past  ( former , other , early )
    belonging to the distant past
     The early inhabitants of Europe
    the early inhabitants of Europe
     Former generations
    former generations
     In other times
    in other times
  4. () Very young  ( early )
    very young
     At an early age
    at an early age
  5. () (linguistics) of an early stage in the development of a language or literature  ( early )
    (linguistics) 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.
    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
    Early Modern English is represented in documents printed from 1476 to 1700
  6. Expected in the near future  ( early )
    expected in the near future
     Look for an early end to the negotiations
    look for an early end to the negotiations

adverb

  1. () During an early stage  ( early on , early )
    during an early stage
     Early on in her career
    early on in her career
  2. () Before the usual time or the time expected  ( ahead of time , too soon , early )
    before the usual time or the time expected
     She graduated early
    she graduated early
     The house was completed ahead of time
    the house was completed ahead of time
  3. () In good time  ( betimes , early )
    in good time
     He awoke betimes that morning
    he awoke betimes that morning