early

5 definitions • 22 examples

near the beginning of a period of time, or before the usual, expected, or planned time:

If you finish early you can go home.

If you arrived earlier, you'd have more time.

I like being a little early for interviews.

early (on) in They scored two goals early (on) in the game.

early (in) I hate having to get up early (in the morning).

early night I'm going to have an early night (= go to sleep before my usual time).

She was a poet living in the early 15th century.

early age He learned to read at the early age of three.

it's early to It's a little early to be sowing carrot seeds, isn't it?

early days/years Henry Ford was a pioneer during the early days/years of car manufacture.

My earliest (= first) memory is of being shown around our new house.

These are some of my early (= first) attempts at sculpture.

Here's a dish I prepared earlier (= I made a short time ago).

Early flowers and vegetables are ones that are ready early in the year, before most other ones.

used after a date or time to show that something will not happen before then:

I'm very busy, so I won't be with you till four o'clock at the earliest.

near the beginning of (a period of time), or before the usual, expected, or planned time:

I got up early this morning to walk the dog.

Sheena’s in her early thirties.

She arrived early for the interview.

If you finish early (= before the end of the allowed time) you can go home.

Detroit has been an automotive center since the early days/years (= the beginning time) of car manufacturing.

Here’s a dish I prepared earlier (= I made a short time ago).

It was a great race for Needles, who took the lead early on (= soon after the start).

used to ask someone to do something, or to say that you will do something as soon as possible:

Please give me a call back at your earliest convenience on extension one two four seven.