early
early Lexical Profile
early Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Happening, belonging to, or done near the beginning of a particular time, period, or course of events.
"She enjoys taking a quiet walk in the early morning before the city wakes up."
Happening, arriving, or completed before the usual, expected, or appointed time.
"An early frost damaged several of the tender plants in the garden."
Belonging to a distant past or an initial stage of historical or evolutionary development.
"The museum's new wing features tools and pottery crafted by early humans."
• adverb
Near the beginning of a particular time, period, or sequence of events.
"The team scored early in the first half and maintained their lead throughout the match."
Before the usual, expected, or scheduled time.
"We arrived at the train station twenty minutes early to find good seats."
• Rhymes for early
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'ǣrlīce' (adverb) and 'ǣrlīc' (adjective), compounded from 'ǣr' ('soon, before', the ancestor of 'ere') and '-līc' ('-ly').