earlier

ear-li-er · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Comparative form of early; happening or existing before the present time or another time.

  2. 2.

    At a time before now or before the time mentioned.

  3. 3.

    Before the usual or expected time.

Related words

Antonyms: later, subsequent
See also: before, earliest, early, prior
Synonyms: former, preceding, previous, prior

Etymology

From Old English ǣrlīc meaning "early," with the comparative suffix -er. Related to Old English ǣr meaning "before, ere."