Definition and meaning of English word "early"
early
/ˈɜːrli/
Meaning
AdverbBefore the usual, expected, or planned time.
How to use
'Early' describes something happening before the usual or expected time. For example, 'I woke up early' or 'She arrived early for the meeting.' It can be used as an adverb ('wake up early') or an adjective ('an early flight'). A common learner mistake is confusing 'early' with 'soon': 'early' compares to an expected time, while 'soon' refers to a short time from now.
🇬🇧 English
early
Example
I wake up early.
We arrived early.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- early bird— early bird
- early riser— early riser
- early start— early start
More Time & Calendar words
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #337 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "early" mean?▼
The English word "early" means "early" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "early"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "early" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "early"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "I wake up early." (which translates as "early").
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