early 
early (ʉr′lē)
adverb, adjective -·lier, -·li·est
- near the beginning of a given period of time or of a series, as of events; soon after the start
- before the expected or customary time
- in the far distant past; in ancient or remote times
- in the near future; before much time has passed
Etymology: ME erli < OE ærlic, adv. (> ærlic, adj.) < ær, before (see ere) + -lice, adv. suffix (see -ly, like)
early on
at an early stage; near the beginning
Early (ʉr′lē)
Early, Jubal Anderson 1816-94; Confederate general in the Civil War
early
modif.
Near the beginning
initial, first, ancient, prehistoric, primitive, primeval, primal, pioneer, pioneering, trailblazing, beginning, prime, new, fresh, budding, raw; see also old 3.Antonyms
late*, modern*, superannuated. * Sooner than might have been expected
premature(ly), beforehand, in advance, ahead, far ahead, before the time, ahead of time, quick, precocious, preceding, anticipatory, advanced, too soon, untimely, unanticipated, immediate, unexpected, precipitant, speedy, hasty, before the appointed time, in good time, on time, direct, prompt(ly), punctual(ly), briefly, shortly, presently, in the bud, unhatched, immature, unlooked-for, betimes, bright and early*, with the birds*, on the dot*, pronto*, with time to spare*. Maturing soon
dwarf, bush, quick-maturing, early-maturing, early-flowering, hardy, short-stemmed, spring, frostproof, northern.
Preposition: as
- century: Boro or municipal corporation: dating from as early as the 11th century.
Adjective complement with noun phrase
- please: During the summer months we do get booked up quickly so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Modifies a noun
- stage: During the early stages of the online signup process you will be provided with a list of hardware costs.
- century: Four sherds, the most recent being late 18th or early 19th century, were also in the fill.
- 1990s: The 1930s offices were the last to go in the early 1990s.
- 1980s: In the early 1980s, a different concept emerged - the Reduced Instruction Set Computer, or RISC machine.
- morning: Outside in the early morning, time to chill out, well, freeze out anyhow.
- 1970s: The primary Iraqi weapons correspond to the level of the early 1970s.
Modifying Another Word
- too: It remains too early to decide for a or against a merger.
- very: We make a very early start from here for the long climb up scree to Gilman's Point on the Crater Rim.
- relatively: So no one can say if her relatively early death or her arthritis were a signficant indicator about cloning in general.
Infinitive complement
- avoid: During the summer months we do get booked up quickly so please book early to avoid disappointment.
- say: Although it is too early to say whether they will succeed, early indications are promising.
- decide: It remains too early to decide for a or against a merger.
Used with adjective complement
- arrive: Students who need to arrive early will be given information by their Faculty / Department.
- retire: My ambition would be to retire early ( not yet tho!
- begin: Biology: Charlock generally flowers from May to July but flowering may begin as early as April in plants that germinated the previous autumn.
- start: The rally starts early Saturday morning and finishes early evening culminating in a " rite grand " party.
Preposition: in
Trois heures, c'est toujours trop tard ou trop to" t pour tout ce qu'on veut faire. Three o'clock is always either too late or too early for anything one might want to do.
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dryand thirsty land, where no water is.
Is not a Patron, my lord, one who looks with unconcern ona manstruggling for life inthewater, and,whenhehas reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it.
Whatever may have been my enthusiasm or impatience to be up and doing on the night before, the hour for getting up always finds me with no other ambition in the world than to be permitted to lie where I am and sleep, sleep, sleep.Not soTilman.Ihave never met anyonewith such a complete disregard for the sublime comforts of the early morning bed. However monstrously early we might decide, thenight before, toget up, hewas about at least half an hour before the time. He was generally very good about it, and used to sit placidly smoking his pipe over the fire.
: Say, is it too early for a drink? : What's early about it? It's tomorrow in Europe and yesterday in China.
I meant to be prompt, but it never occurred to me that I had better try to be early.
Except the L build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the L keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
Browse dictionary entries near early
- ‹ earlobe
- ‹ earlier
- ‹ earless seal
- ‹ earlap
- ‹ Earl Marshal
- ‹ earl
- ‹ earing
- ‹ Earhart
- ‹ earful
- ‹ earflap
- Early American ›
- early bird ›
- early days ›
- Early Modern English ›
- early music ›
- early stage ›
- earmark ›
- earmuffs ›
- earn ›
- earned income ›
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