Sekirov Dictionary

early

UK /ˈɜːli/US /ˈɝli/

adjective 6
adverb 2
noun 1
forms 3
phrases 6

adjective6

•
in the first part of a day, a year or another period, close to its start
- The play "Two Gentlemen of Verona" is one of Shakespeare's early works.
- Early results showed their winning 245 out of 300 seats in parliament. The main opponent locked up only 31 seats.
•
In the starting hours of the day.
- It's too early for this sort of thing. I'm not awake yet.
Having begun to occur; in its early stages.
•
At a time in advance of the usual or expected event.
- at eleven, we went for an early lunch; she began reading at an early age; his mother suffered an early death
•
Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time.
- You're early today! I don't usually see you before nine o'clock.
- The early guests sipped their punch and avoided each other's eyes.
Of a star or class of stars, hotter than the sun.

adverb2

•
At a time before expected; sooner than usual.
- We finished the project an hour sooner than scheduled, so we left early.
- I had children too early (in life), so my first baby arrived early.
•
Soon; in good time; seasonably.
- [T]those that seeke me early, shall find me. — 1611

noun1

•
(informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day.
- On my first day on the watch after leaving the shoplifting squad I paraded on earlies but had completely forgotten to take my ear ring off. — 2007

forms

earlies · earlier · earliest

Phrases with early

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