early

ear-ly · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Happening or done before the usual or expected time.

  2. 2.

    Belonging to the beginning of a period of time or a process.

  3. 3.

    Occurring at the beginning of a sequence.

  4. 4.

    Before the usual or expected time.

  5. 5.

    Near the beginning of a period.

Related words

Antonyms: delayed, late
See also: first, late, soon
Synonyms: first, initial, premature

Etymology

From Old English aerlice meaning "early," from aer meaning "before, soon" plus -lice (the adverbial suffix, now -ly). Related to ere meaning "before."