earlier

1. 1
   before nowadverb

   At a time before now, or before a particular point already referred to in the past.

   She had mentioned the problem earlier, long before it became urgent.

   As I explained earlier, the meeting has been moved to Friday afternoon.

   UsageNo than here; a time phrase often follows: earlier today, earlier this week, earlier in the meeting.

   Similarpreviously, before, beforehand

   Oppositelater, afterward, subsequently

   Note

   This adverb points back from now, or from a moment already in the story: seen earlier this morning, placed in the ice earlier. Compare I didn't start earlier, meaning sooner, with I saw it earlier, meaning before now.

2. 2
   previousadjective

   Occurring or existing before another point in time; belonging to a period that came before the present one.

   An earlier version of the software had far fewer features.

   Records from an earlier century describe the same flooding pattern.

   UsageUsually before a noun, much like previous: an earlier version, her earlier books.

   Similarprevious, prior, former, preceding

   Oppositelater, subsequent, future

   Note

   Here the comparison has faded into plain sequence: an earlier version or her earlier books are simply the ones that came before, much like previous. With the true comparative, one thing is set at a more early time than another, as in an earlier start than usual. The two often overlap, and context decides.

3. 3
   sooner than usualadverb

   Comparative form of early: sooner, at a time before another time or before the usual or expected one.

   The flowers bloomed earlier this year because of the warm spring.

   He finished the race earlier than anyone expected.

   UsageOften with than: earlier than expected, earlier than usual; or measured against the usual time with no than.

   Similarsooner

   Note

   The adverb shares its spelling change with the comparative adjective and pairs naturally with than, as in finished earlier than expected. Early as an adverb also means "in good time," so earlier often shades into "sooner." The comparison can also stay implicit, measured against the usual time rather than a stated one: the flowers bloomed earlier this year.

4. 4
   adjective

   Comparative form of early: closer to the beginning of a day, period, or process than something else.

   She booked an earlier flight to make the connection.

   The earlier deadline left the team with very little time.

   Note

   The y of early turns to i before the suffix, giving earlier and, one step further, earliest. Whatever early means, earlier compares it: an earlier flight leaves before another, and an earlier stage of an illness is nearer its onset. Astronomers use it as well. Because early names the hotter spectral types, and the hotter subtypes within a class, an earlier type is a hotter one. Source

   Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

   • Astronomers call hotter stellar spectral types and hotter subtypes within a class early; an earlier spectral type is therefore hotter. astro.gsu.edu

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