DictionaryAI

early

SayUR-lee/ˈɜɹli//ˈɜːli/

Adjectiveearlier, earliest

Adverbearlier, earliest

7 meanings of early

Practice

  1. 1
    first partadjective
    Near the beginning of a period of time or of something that is happening.

    Like the first few pages of a long book.

    We visited in early spring, when the first flowers appeared.

    In the early days of the company, only three people worked there.

    UsageSay early June or the early stages.

    Oppositelate

    Note
  2. 2
    before the timeadverb
    Before the usual or planned time, or with plenty of time to spare.

    Like finishing a test before the time is up.

    We left early to avoid the heavy traffic.

    She woke up early and made breakfast for everyone.

    UsageSay early enough (not incorrect: enough early).

    Oppositelate

  3. 3
    adjective
    Happening before the usual or planned time for something.

    Like having dinner at five o'clock instead of the usual seven.

    They took an early lunch before the rush started.

    He chose early retirement at fifty-five.

    Similarpremature, untimely

    Oppositelate, delayed, belated

    Note
  4. 4
    adjective
    Belonging to the first hours of the morning.

    Like the quiet time just after you wake up, when the sky is getting light.

    The early sun lit up the quiet streets.

    She enjoys the calm of an early morning walk.

    UsageSay early morning or the early hours.

    Oppositelate

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    morning shiftnouncolloquialcountable
    A work shift that happens in the morning.

    Like the morning turn at a job, before most people are awake.

    She's on an early this week, so she leaves the house at five.

    I swapped my early for a late shift with a coworker.

    UsageMostly earlies: I'm on earlies this week.

    Oppositelate

    Note
  2. 6
    adverb
    At or near the start of a time, an event, a process, or a person's life or work.

    We scored early in the game and kept the lead.

    She started playing the piano early in life.

    UsageSay early in the day.

    Oppositelate

    Note
  3. 7
    adjective
    Of a star, in one of the hottest groups of stars, or in the hotter part of its own group.

More uses

Practice

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Origins

Meanings 1, 3–5

From an Old English adjective ǣrlīċ meaning "early," made from "ere" plus "-ly."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

  • Early derives from the Old English adjective ǣrlīċ, meaning “early.” en.wiktionary.org
  • Its components correspond to ere and the adjectival suffix -ly. en.wiktionary.org
Meanings 2, 6

From an Old English adverb ǣrlīċe meaning "early" or "early in the morning," made from "ere" plus "-ly."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts