Early Earliest Period Morning Beginning Adjective ˈɜːli ˈɜːrli

• the early morning
• my earliest memories
• the project is still in the early stages.
• the early 1990s

early

1. near the beginning of a period of time, an event etc.
• the early morning
• my earliest memories
• The project is still in the early stages.
• the early 1990s
• in the early years of the twentieth century
• in the early days of space exploration (= when it was just beginning)
• It is too early to tell how badly the economy will be affected.
• He's in his early twenties.
• Mozart’s early works (= those written at the beginning of his career)
• Early booking is essential, as space is limited.
• The ruling overturned the court’s earlier decision.
• The earliest possible date I can make it is the third.
• The earliest description of this species dates from 1703.

Extra Examples

• The earliest mention of the village is in a sixteenth-century manuscript.
• These discoveries were made at a surprisingly early date.
• From early childhood he suffered from very poor health.
• during the early part of December
• An earlier version of this article appeared online.
2. arriving, or done before the usual, expected or planned time
• SEE ALSO early night
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/early-night
• You're early! I wasn't expecting you till seven.
• The bus was ten minutes early.
• an early breakfast
• He learnt to play the piano at an early age.
• Let's make an early start tomorrow.
• She's an early riser (= she gets up early in the morning).
• early potatoes (= that are available before other types of potato)

Extra Examples

• I'm sorry I'm a bit early.
• It's a little early for lunch.
• Victoria has decided to take early retirement.
3. belonging to the beginning of a period of history or a cultural movement
• The gallery has an unrivalled collection of early twentieth-century art.
• the early modern period from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century
• The main construction of the fort belongs to the early medieval period.
• The painting is a fine example of early Impressionism.
4. as soon as possible
• Please contact us at your earliest convenience.
5. very early in the morning
• You're up bright and early today!
6. a person who gets up, arrives, etc. very early
• You’re an early bird this morning!
7. the person who takes the opportunity to do something before other people will have an advantage over them
8. at an early stage, especially in a game or competition
• Suddenly we lost three home matches early doors.
• The team had the game in the bag early doors after tries from Ellis and Wilkins.
9. the period of time very early in the morning, soon after midnight
• The fighting began in the early hours of Saturday morning.
• The party continued well into the early hours.
10. used to say that it is too soon to be sure how a situation will develop
• It’s early days yet. We don’t know if the play will be a success.

Word Origin

• Old English (as an adverb) ǣrlīce (see ere, -ly), influenced by Old Norse árliga. The adjective use dates from Middle English.