earlier UK /ˈɜː.lɪə/US /ˈɝliɚ/adverb 1adjective 1 adverb1 •at a time before now or before the moment being talked aboutFrom what I vaguely saw earlier this morning, when I had just woken up and was tidying my bed, a tall, bulky person left an unfamiliar box at my front door.I shall be late because I didn't start earlier. adjective1 •occurring previouslyI shall be late because I missed the earlier train.I'd seen earlier (in the day).
