ear•lyˈɜr li(adv.; adj.)-li•er, -li•est.

1. (adv.)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.

5. (adj.)occurring in the first part of a period of time, course of action, or series of events:

   an early hour of the day.

6. occurring before the usual or appointed time:

   an early dinner.

7. belonging to a period far back in time.

8. occurring in the near future:

   I look forward to an early reply.

9. Hort. appearing or maturing before most others of its type:

   early apples.

   Category: Botany

Idioms for early:

1. early on,not long after the beginning.

   Category: Idiom

Origin of early:

bef. 950; ME erlich (adj.), erliche (adv.), OE ǣrlīc, ǣrlīce

ear′li•ness(n.)

Ear•lyˈɜr li(n.)

1. Jubal Anderson, 1816–94, Confederate general in the U.S. Civil War.

   Category: Biography