The meaning of EARLY is near the beginning of a period of time. How to use early in a sentence.
EARLY definition: 1. near the beginning of a period of time, or before the usual, expected, or planned time: 2…. Learn more.
EARLY definition: in or during the first part of a period of time, a course of action, a series of events, etc.. See examples of early used in a sentence.
- in or during the first part of a period of time, course of action, or series of events: early in the year. 2. in the early part of the morning: to get up early. 3. before the usual or appointed time; ahead of time. 4. far back in time: The Greeks early learned to navigate.
Early means before the time that was arranged or expected. She arrived early to secure a place at the front. The first snow came a month earlier than usual.
Definition of early adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
There are 15 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word early, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
early, adj. & n. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary
occurring in the first part of a period of time, a course of action, a series of events, etc.: an early hour of the day. occurring before the usual or appointed time: an early dinner.
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. 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.