early

1. 1

   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
2. 2

   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.
3. 3

   After but close to the start of a period of time.

   • 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.
4. 4

   In the starting hours of the day.

   • It's too early for this sort of thing. I'm not awake yet.
5. 5

   Having begun to occur; in its early stages.

   • early cancer
   • harvesting early peaches
6. 6

   Of a star or class of stars, hotter than the sun.

syn. early · early doors

ant. late · terminal · mid · middle

1. 1

   A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day.informal

   • 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.

ant. late

1. 1

   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.
2. 2

   Soon; in good time; seasonably.

   • [T]thoſe that ſeeke me early, ſhall find me.
   • You must wake and call me early, call me early, mother dear; / Tomorrow 'ill be the happiest time of all the blythe Newyear; […]

syn. prematurely

ant. late · tardily