early | English to English Dictionary

English to English

early

('/[@]/rl/i/ )

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time(adj.all)

Example:
Early morning.
An early warning.
Early diagnosis.
An early death.
Took early retirement.
An early spring.
Early varieties of peas and tomatoes mature before most standard varieties.

Antonym:
late

source: wordnet30
being or occurring at an early stage of development(adj.all)

Example:
In an early stage.
Early forms of life.
Early man.
An early computer.

Antonym:
late, later

source: wordnet30
of an early stage in the development of a language or literature(adj.all)

Example:
The Early Hebrew alphabetical script is that used mainly from the 11th to the 6th centuries B.C..
Early Modern English is represented in documents printed from 1476 to 1700.

source: wordnet30
In advance of the usual or appointed time; in good season; prior in time; among or near the first; -- opposed to late; as, the early bird; an early spring; early fruit.(adjective)

source: webster1913

during an early stage(adv.all)

Example:
Early on in her career.

source: wordnet30
before the usual time or the time expected(adv.all)

Example:
She graduated early.

Synonym:
ahead of time, too soon
Antonym:
belatedly, late, tardily

source: wordnet30
in good time(adv.all)

source: wordnet30
Soon; in good season; seasonably; betimes; as, come early.(adverb)

source: webster1913