ear
ly
Comparative
earlier
Superlative
earliest
1
happening or done before the usual or scheduled time
- They caught an early flight to avoid the rush.
- We had an early dinner before the concert.
- She decided to leave work early to beat the traffic.
- The early arrival of the package was a pleasant surprise.
- He woke up early to prepare for the presentation.
2
indicating things that occur near the beginning of something
- The early scenes in the movie set the tone for the entire story.
- The earlier chapters of the book introduce the main characters.
- Early episodes of the show were more focused on character development.
- The early paragraphs of the essay outline the key arguments.
- The early signs of the illness were mild, but they worsened over time.
3
happening near the beginning of a defined period, such as a lifetime, season, day, etc.
- The early morning sunshine was warm and inviting.
- The flowers bloomed beautifully in the early days of spring.
- In the early days of the internet, few people had access to it.
- She began her career in her early twenties, full of ambition.
- The economy struggled during the early part of the 1980s recession.
Antonyms:
4
existed or happened a time long ago
- The early settlers of the region built their homes near the river.
- Archaeologists discovered tools used by early humans in Africa.
- Early civilizations left behind remarkable structures like the pyramids.
- The early inhabitants of the island relied on fishing and agriculture.
- Early records indicate that the area was inhabited by nomadic tribes.
5
(of plants, crops, etc.) blooming or maturing sooner than the other kinds
- The early apples were ripe and ready to be picked in late summer.
- This variety of corn is known for being an early producer in the growing season.
- The early flowers bloomed before the others, signaling the start of spring.
- These early tomatoes are perfect for harvesting before the main crop is ready.
- Farmers prefer planting early peaches for a faster yield.
Antonyms:
6
referring to the initial stages of a historical period, cultural movement, language, or literary tradition
- The early Renaissance saw the revival of classical art and ideas.
- Early English literature includes works like Beowulf.
- The early Enlightenment introduced groundbreaking philosophical concepts.
- Early English writings, like those from the Anglo-Saxon period, show the beginnings of the English language.
Antonyms:
7
expected to occur soon or in the near future
- Please respond to the email at your earliest convenience.
- I’ll need your feedback at the earliest opportunity to move forward.
- An early decision on the project will help avoid delays.
- We are hoping for an early resolution to the problem.