early
early
Pronunciation
early: /ˈɜːrli/
er: /ɜːr/ (as in "bird") - a voiced postalveolar approximant followed by a tense mid-central unrounded vowel.
ly: /li/ (as in "see") - a voiced alveolar lateral approximant followed by a tense high front unrounded vowel.
Word Form Variations
The word "early" primarily functions as an adjective and an adverb. It does not have typical singular/plural forms like nouns. Its variations are primarily in its degrees of comparison:
Adjective:
Positive: early
Comparative: earlier
Superlative: earliest
Adverb:
Positive: early
Comparative: earlier
Superlative: earliest
Less commonly, "early" can be used as a noun, but it doesn't inflect for singular/plural in the typical sense. When used as a noun, it often refers to a specific period or group of people.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Occurring or done before the usual or expected time.
Synonyms: prompt, timely, premature, soon
Antonyms: late, tardy, delayed, overdue
Definition 2: Relating to the beginning or initial stages of a period of time, development, or process.
Synonyms: initial, nascent, primary, primitive, foundational
Antonyms: late, final, mature, advanced, developed
Adverb
Definition 1: Before the usual or expected time.
Synonyms: promptly, soon, quickly, forthwith
Antonyms: late, tardily, slowly, belatedly
Definition 2: In or near the beginning of a period of time or series of events.
Synonyms: initially, firstly, originally, at first
Antonyms: finally, lastly, eventually, ultimately
Noun
Definition 1: A starting point or period, particularly in a competition or event, or a group of people who arrive or act before others. (Often used in phrases like "the early bird gets the worm" or "the early rounds of a tournament.")
Synonyms: dawn (figurative), outset, beginning, vanguard
Antonyms: end, conclusion, finale, rear (as in "rear guard")
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was an early spring, and the crocuses were already pushing through the still-cold earth." (General fiction, author's internal narration)
"Darwin's early research focused on barnacles before he developed his groundbreaking theory of evolution." (Charles Darwin: A Life in Science by John Gribbin and Mary Gribbin)
Newspapers:
"The central bank indicated an early interest rate cut is unlikely given persistent inflation." (The Wall Street Journal)
"Residents were advised to evacuate early as the hurricane approached the coast." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"Tech giant unveils early access program for its new AI-powered design software." (TechCrunch)
"Researchers believe that getting an early diagnosis for certain conditions can significantly improve patient outcomes." (WebMD)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I'm sorry, sir, but you're an hour early for your flight." (Dialogue from an airport scene in a romantic comedy)
Television Series: "In the early days of the zombie apocalypse, nobody knew what was happening." (Narration from a post-apocalyptic drama)
Podcasts: "Our guest today is an early adopter of sustainable farming practices." (From an interview on an environmental podcast)
Video Games: "You've arrived early at the designated rendezvous point. Wait for further instructions." (On-screen text in an open-world adventure game)
Music (Lyrics): "Oh, I wake up early in the morning, just to see the sun rise." (From a folk song)
General Public Discourse:
"I like to get my work done early so I can relax in the afternoon." (Casual conversation between friends)
"The bus arrived so early today, I almost missed it!" (Comment made by a commuter)
"It's still early in the season, so we shouldn't make any predictions about the team's performance yet." (Discussion among sports fans)
"We had an early dinner because we wanted to catch the sunset." (Explanation from someone on vacation)
10 Famous Quotes Using Early
"The early bird catches the worm." (Proverb)
"It's always darkest before the dawn." (Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, often paraphrased to imply hope in early stages of difficulty)
"There is no great genius without a touch of madness." (Aristotle, often attributed with the idea that genius can manifest early in life)
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." (Chinese Proverb, emphasizing the benefit of acting early)
"A stitch in time saves nine." (Proverb, highlighting the importance of taking action early to prevent larger problems)
"If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." (Isaac Newton, implying that his discoveries built upon early knowledge)
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." (Ralph Waldo Emerson, a sentiment applicable to defining oneself early in life)
"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." (John Lennon, though not using "early," it alludes to the unexpectedness that can occur at any point, including early on)
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." (Lao Tzu, emphasizing the importance of the early start)
"The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand." (Vince Lombardi, success often requires early and consistent effort)
Etymology
The word "early" has a really old and interesting history, tracing back to the very roots of the English language.
Imagine way, way back to Old English (the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066). The word "early" comes from an Old English word called ǣrlīċ. This word was a combination of two parts:
ǣr: This meant "soon" or "before" (you can still see a trace of this in the archaic word "ere," meaning "before").
-līċ: This was a common ending in Old English that turned words into adverbs, similar to how we use "-ly" today.
So, literally, ǣrlīċ meant something like "ere-like" or "soon-like," conveying the idea of happening before or at an initial point in time.
The first known use of "early" in written English dates back to this Old English period (before 1150). It was used both as an adjective (describing something as being "early") and as an adverb (describing an action done "early").
Over time, as Old English evolved into Middle English and then Modern English, the spelling and pronunciation shifted, but the core meaning of "before the usual or expected time" or "at the beginning of a period" has stayed remarkably consistent for centuries.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Early
Early bird catches the worm: A proverb meaning that the person who arrives first or acts promptly has the best chance of success.
Early days: Said to emphasize that a situation is still in its initial stages and it's too soon to know how it will develop.
Get an early start: To begin an activity or journey sooner than usual or expected.
Early adopter: A person who starts using a new product or technology as soon as it becomes available.
Early warning: A signal or indication that something undesirable or dangerous is likely to happen soon.
Early on: At an early stage in a process or period of time.
Early riser: A person who habitually wakes up early in the morning.
In the early hours: During the very first hours of the morning, usually while it's still dark.
Call it an early night: To go to bed sooner than one usually does.
Too little, too late: (While "early" isn't in this idiom, it implies the opposite: action was not taken early enough to be effective).
Jump the gun: (Similar to not being "early" enough, this means to start something too soon, before it's permitted or advisable).
Ahead of the curve: To be more advanced or progressive than others; to be an early innovator.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of early from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
