early early /ˈɝːli/

adjective

1. () At or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time  ( early )
   at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
    Early morning
   early morning
    An early warning
   an early warning
    Early diagnosis
   early diagnosis
    An early death
   an early death
    Took early retirement
   took early retirement
    An early spring
   an early spring
    Early varieties of peas and tomatoes mature before most standard varieties
   early varieties of peas and tomatoes mature before most standard varieties
   
2. () Being or occurring at an early stage of development  ( early )
   being or occurring at an early stage of development
    In an early stage
   in an early stage
    Early forms of life
   early forms of life
    Early man
   early man
    An early computer
   an early computer
   
3. () Belonging to the distant past  ( former , other , early )
   belonging to the distant past
    The early inhabitants of Europe
   the early inhabitants of Europe
    Former generations
   former generations
    In other times
   in other times
   
4. () Very young  ( early )
   very young
    At an early age
   at an early age
   
5. () (linguistics) of an early stage in the development of a language or literature  ( early )
   (linguistics) of an early stage in the development of a language or literature
    The Early Hebrew alphabetical script is that used mainly from the 11th to the 6th centuries B.C.
   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
   Early Modern English is represented in documents printed from 1476 to 1700
   
6. Expected in the near future  ( early )
   expected in the near future
    Look for an early end to the negotiations
   look for an early end to the negotiations
   

adverb

1. () During an early stage  ( early on , early )
   during an early stage
    Early on in her career
   early on in her career
   
2. () Before the usual time or the time expected  ( ahead of time , too soon , early )
   before the usual time or the time expected
    She graduated early
   she graduated early
    The house was completed ahead of time
   the house was completed ahead of time
   
3. () In good time  ( betimes , early )
   in good time
    He awoke betimes that morning
   he awoke betimes that morning