early

/ˈɝli/

Reviewed on

Also an adjective

Meaning

  1. Before the usual, expected, or planned time.

    • We got to the airport two hours early.

  2. Near the beginning of a period of time or a process.

    • She started playing piano early in her life.

How it's used

When this means “goes after the verb”

  • verb + early

I'm going to bed early tonight.

When this means “near the beginning of a time”

  • early + in + period

Call me early in the week.

When this means “at an early stage”

  • early on

Early on, we knew the plan would work.

When this means “comparative and superlative; 'earlier' also means 'before now'”

  • earlier/earliest

I saw your message earlier.

Collocations

  • get up early
  • leave early
  • arrive early
  • early in the morning

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms

  • the early bird catches the worm

    people who start early have the best chance of success

    I get to the sale at 7 a.m. The early bird catches the worm!