Definition of "early" in English

adjective

1. At a time in advance of the usual or expected event.

   • at eleven, we went for an early lunch; she began reading at an early age; his mother suffered an early death

2. Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time.

   • You're early today! I don't usually see you before nine o'clock.
   • The early guests sipped their punch and avoided each other's eyes.

3. After but close to the start of a period of time.

   • The play "Two Gentlemen of Verona" is one of Shakespeare's early works.
   • Early results showed their winning 245 out of 300 seats in parliament. The main opponent locked up only 31 seats.

4. In the starting hours of the day.

   • It's too early for this sort of thing. I'm not awake yet.

5. Having begun to occur; in its early stages.

   • early cancer

6. (astronomy) Of a star or class of stars, hotter than the sun.

noun

1. (informal) A shift (scheduled work period) that takes place early in the day.

adverb

1. At a time before expected; sooner than usual.

   • We finished the project an hour sooner than scheduled, so we left early.
   • I had children too early (in life), so my first baby arrived early.

2. Soon; in good time; seasonably.