Definition of "earlier" in English

adjective

1. comparative form of early: more early

2. occurring previously

   • I shall be late because I missed the earlier train.
   • I'd seen earlier (in the day).

adverb

1. comparative form of early: more early

2. previously; before now; sooner

   • From what I vaguely saw earlier this morning, when I had just woken up and was tidying my bed, a tall, bulky person left an unfamiliar box at my front door.
   • I shall be late because I didn't start earlier.
   • They were looking for some measuring equipment they had placed in the ice earlier.