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early

ear·ly

early

 
 
pronunciation:
uhr li
parts of speech:
adverb, adjective
features:
Word Combinations (adjective)
part of speech: adverb
inflections: earlier, earliest
definition 1: in the first stage of a time period.
The carpenters start work early in the morning before it gets too hot.Early in the play, one of the characters dies.She had great success early in her career.
antonyms:
late, latter
definition 2: ahead of or before the usual or expected time.
He wanted to get to the interview just a little early to make a good impression.The train arrived early, and no one was there yet to pick me up.We got to the store early, and it wasn't open yet.
synonyms:
ahead, before, beforehand, betimes, in advance
antonyms:
late
similar words:
first, shortly, soon
definition 3: near the beginning of the day.
I have to get up early tomorrow.
antonyms:
late
definition 4: in the past.
I knew about him earlier.
synonyms:
before
antonyms:
late
similar words:
beforehand, heretofore
 
part of speech: adjective
inflections: earlier, earliest
definition 1: of the initial stage of a time period or series of occurrences.
early evening
antonyms:
late
similar words:
primary, prime
definition 2: near the beginning of a process or series of events.
the early part of her lifehis early days as president
antonyms:
final, last, latter
definition 3: taking place near the beginning of the day.
early classesearly wake-up call
antonyms:
late
definition 4: taking place before a usual time or some other established time.
I took an early swim today.
antonyms:
late
similar words:
forward, premature, untimely
definition 5: taking place in the near future rather than at some later time.
I'm hoping for an early reply.
similar words:
expeditious, immediate, prompt, quick, rapid, speedy, timely
definition 6: of a time very long ago.
Some early humans lived in caves.
synonyms:
ancient, former, past, previous, prior
antonyms:
modern
similar words:
antecedent, bygone, gone, old, original, prehistoric, primal, primeval, primitive, primordial, remote
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: earlier (adj.), earliest (adj.), earlier (adv.)